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Millets, historically staple foods in Asia and Africa, saw reduced cultivation and consumption with the rise of wheat, maize, and rice in the mid-20th century. Recognizing their potential, the United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM) to promote their reintroduction into global food systems. Millets offer benefits like climate resilience, balanced nutrition, and gluten-free properties. Consumption can help combat obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol, offering a solution to malnutrition amidst rising populations. Extrusion processing can mass-produce millet-based food products to meet societal needs to provide nutrient-rich, affordable, and shelf-stable products. Leveraging extrusion technology, millet-based products can be efficiently mass-produced to meet nutritional needs, enhancing food security worldwide. Moreover, extrusion causes biochemical changes, such as protein denaturation, starch gelatinization, inactivation of microorganisms, enzymes, anti-nutritional factors, and solubilizes fiber. This review aims to explore millet functionality and extrudability, unlocking possibilities for diverse, nutrient-rich food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of long-term Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based nutrient management in regulating soil micronutrient status and optimizing crop productivity under a maize-wheat cropping system in an acid Alfisol. The experiment was initiated during monsoon 2007, consisted of eight treatments viz., control, farmers' practice, general recommended dose, soil test-based, STCR based targeted yield of 25 (wheat)/30 (maize) and 35 (wheat)/40 (maize) q ha−1 with FYM @ 5 t ha−1 and without FYM. Results revealed that the soil available Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn exhibited depletion in unfertilized plots over initial status. However, the STCR (Integrated Plant Nutrient Supply; IPNS) based targeted yield approach of fertilizer application maintains higher values of DTPA extractable micronutrients in comparisons to all other treatments. After nine continuous years, the highest DTPA- extractable Fe (27.6 mg kg−1), Mn (25.1 mg kg−1), Zn (1.25 mg kg−1) and Cu (0.75 mg kg−1) were recorded in treatment where, FYM was added along with fertilizers for targeted yield of 35 q ha−1. The micronutrient uptake by wheat was higher in STCR (IPNS) treatments. Low SRC values of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn indicated that long-term prescription based chemical fertilizers and FYM application can meet the plant nutritional requirement of wheat crop. Hence long-term STCR based integration of FYM (with NPK fertilizers) has an advantage in regulating the supply of micronutrients in soil-plant system and addressing the micronutrient deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSelenium (Se) plays a crucial role in human health, influencing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders. With global population growth and unequal nutrient distribution threatening food security, new approaches are needed to meet the nutritional needs of the world. Se is essential for immune function, metabolism, and antioxidant defense, and in regions suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition, selenium-enriched food could offer an affordable solution. Spirulina platensis, microalgae, can bioaccumulate Se from its environment, enhancing its nutritional value. This study explores how different light spectra (red, white, yellow, and blue LEDs) affect Se bioaccumulation in Spirulina when Na2SeO3 is added to the culture medium in photobioreactors. The results show that red light made the highest Se bioaccumulation (0.118 mg.L−1), followed by white, yellow, and blue light. Se addition also increased cell dry weight by 46%, 33%, 22%, and 60%, respectively, compared to photobioreactors without Se, with biomass productivity highest under red light. Furthermore, Se boosted maximum Chl α concentration, improving photosynthetic efficiency. These findings suggest that optimizing light conditions can significantly enhance the nutritional value of Spirulina, offering a potential solution to global hunger by providing a sustainable, selenium-enriched food source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discarded Human hairs are considered as waste material in most parts of the world and its accumulation causing several environmental problems. However as a potential material resource, human hair has the advantage that it is completely biodegradable, renewable and available in every locality. Thus reutilizing human hair cut discards with a target of extracting a particular major nutrient supply, namely nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and so forth, can create a positive impact on solving soil's infertility problems and less productivity issues of concerned agrarian communities. This study has tried to develop waste human hair based bio-fertilizer by primarily identify the better performing hydrolyzing mixture rang of formulation (H5), ratio of human hair waste mass to aqueous hydrolyzer mixture usages (1:5), favorable reacting time (90 min) and temperature (70 oC) values progressively. Then the physicochemical characteristics were analyzed to reveal the resulted final product's viscosity (~ 76.0 cp.), density (~ 1.17 gm/l), pH (~ pH 9), organic nutrients availability concerning primary Macronutrients (~ 18:0.03:1 N-P-K ratio), Secondary Macronutrients (~ 0.13:0:7 Ca-Mg-S ratio) and other trace micronutrient constituents; which are considered as requirements for the soil nutrient enrichments and plant growths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Africa's older population is increasing and this, necessitates the development of interventions to promote healthy ageing. Nutrition is a key determinant of healthy ageing and local contextual evidence is needed to inform nutritional intervention development in Africa. There are already reviews on nutritional status and food insecurity in older adults in Africa. However, a synthesis of nutrition interventions targeting older people specifically, is lacking. Therefore, this protocol describes a scoping review that aims to systematically synthesise current evidence on nutrition interventions for older people in Africa. Methods: The review will involve: a review of available reviews on nutrition in older people in Africa (Phase 1); a review of nutrition interventions developed or implemented among older people in Africa (Phase 2); and consultation with local nutrition stakeholders in Zimbabwe, and The Gambia to contextualise Phase 1 and 2 findings and solicit insights not in the published literature (Phase 3). Searches for Phases 1 and 2 will include bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, African Journals Online, African Index Medicus) and grey literature sources (i.e. relevant websites). Title, abstract, and full-text screening will be conducted in duplicate, data extracted using piloted tools and findings summarised using descriptive statistics and narrative text. Phase 3 will be conducted using hybrid workshops, audio-recorded, detailed notes taken, and findings combined with those from Phases 1 and 2. Conclusion: The findings of this review will summarise current evidence on nutrition in older people in Africa and inform nutrition intervention development. The findings will be presented in conferences, meetings, and published open access. Trial registration: This scoping review has been registered in OSF, registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FH74T. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize, the most important source of animal and poultry feed, is deficient in essential amino acid methionine. Therefore, methionine is added to the poultry feed to meet its nutritional requirements. Keeping in view, an urgent requirement exists to develop high-methionine maize. The present study was designed to understand the synthesis and accumulation pattern of methionine, lysine, tryptophan, total protein, and protein fractions in the developing maize kernel. Results revealed that methionine accumulation starts before 15 DAP and increases towards maturity. Total protein, albumin, and globulin accumulation showed a declining trend, whereas, prolamin, prolamin-like, glutelin, and glutelin-like fractions increased with kernel maturity. Methionine showed a significant positive correlation with prolamin and a negative correlation with glutelin, indicating their use as markers to select high methionine lines. Higher level accumulation of lysine, tryptophan, and methionine, the three essential amino acids deficient in maize, was observed highest in lines 174705 and 194010 indicating their use as a potential donor for developing high methionine maize genotypes. The high methionine line identified in the present study can be used in breeding programs through introgressing maize germplasm of diverse genetic backgrounds to develop high-yielding methionine-rich maize genotypes to develop a sustainable nutritive feed supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess test–retest reliability of both food photography and food diary methods and validity of these data against known values derived from food labels. Methods: Test–retest reliability analyses of food diary and food photography were compared using single foodstuffs using intra‐class correlation coefficients, coefficients of variation, and limits of agreement. For food diaries, 24‐h test–retest reliability was also examined. Validity was assessed against weighed analyses. As part of habitual intake, a single foodstuff (randomly allocated from 14 common foods) was consumed by 26 participants over 24‐h. On two occasions (14 days apart), single‐blind dietary analyses allowed estimation of foodstuff‐specific energy and macronutrient content and 24‐h intakes. Results: For food diaries, test–retest reliability was acceptable (weight, energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat: all intra‐class correlation coefficients: >0.990, coefficient of variation percentage: <0.1%, limits of agreements: <0.1 to <0.1, p > 0.05, and effect size: <0.01). For food photography, test–retest reliability was acceptable for weight, energy, carbohydrate, and protein (all intra‐class correlation coefficients: >0.898, coefficient of variation percentage: 3.6%–6.2%, limits of agreements: 1.1 to – 44.9, and effect size: 0.01–0.12). Food photography validity was worse than food diaries for all variables (percentage difference: 8.8%–15.3%, coefficient of variation percentage: 7.5%–13.8%, all p ≤ 0.05, and effect size: 0.001–0.11). Conclusions: Greater reliability and validity occurred in food diaries versus food photography. These findings suggest that using food photography may lead to an underestimation of energy and macronutrient content, which may have implications for dietary interventions and nutritional strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although nutrition and exercise both influence bone metabolism, little is currently known about their interaction, or whether nutritional intervention can modulate the bone biomarker response to acute exercise. Improved understanding of the relationships between nutrition, exercise and bone metabolism may have substantial potential to inform nutritional interventions to protect the bone health of exercising individuals, and to elucidate mechanisms by which exercise and nutrition influence bone. Objective: The aim was to synthesise available evidence related to the influence of nutrition on the response of the bone biomarkers procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1) to acute exercise, using a systematic review and meta-analytic approach. Methods: Studies evaluating the influence of nutritional status or intervention on the bone biomarker response to an acute exercise bout were included and separated into four categories: (1) feeding status and energy availability, (2) macronutrients, (3) micronutrients and (4) other. Studies conducted on healthy human populations of any age or training status were included. Meta-analysis was conducted when data from at least five studies with independent datasets were available. In the case of insufficient data to warrant meta-analysis, results from individual studies were narratively synthesised and standardised mean effect sizes visually represented. Results: Twenty-two articles were included. Of these, three investigated feeding status or energy availability, eight macronutrients, eight micronutrients (all calcium) and six other interventions including dairy products or collagen supplementation. Three studies had more than one intervention and were included in all relevant outcomes. The largest and most commonly reported effects were for the bone resorption marker CTX-1. Meta-analysis indicated that calcium intake, whether provided via supplements, diet or infusion, reduced exercise-induced increases in CTX-1 (effect size − 1.1; 95% credible interval [CrI] − 2.2 to − 0.05), with substantially larger effects observed in studies that delivered calcium via direct infusion versus in supplements or foods. Narrative synthesis suggests that carbohydrate supplementation may support bone during acute exercise, via reducing exercise-induced increases in CTX-1. Conversely, a low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet appears to induce the opposite effect, as evidenced by an increased exercise associated CTX-1 response, and reduced P1NP response. Low energy availability may amplify the CTX-1 response to exercise, but it is unclear whether this is directly attributable to energy availability or to the lack of specific nutrients, such as carbohydrate. Conclusion: Nutritional intervention can modulate the acute bone biomarker response to exercise, which primarily manifests as an increase in bone resorption. Ensuring adequate attention to nutritional factors may be important to protect bone health of exercising individuals, with energy, carbohydrate and calcium availability particularly important to consider. Although a wide breadth of data were available for this evidence synthesis, there was substantial heterogeneity in relation to design and intervention characteristics. Direct and indirect replication is required to confirm key findings and to generate better estimates of true effect sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In yeast, control of sulfur amino acid metabolism relies upon Met4 , a transcription factor that activates the expression of a network of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of cysteine and methionine. In times of sulfur abundance, the activity of Met4 is repressed via ubiquitination by the SCF Met30 E3 ubiquitin ligase, but the mechanism by which the F-box protein Met30 senses sulfur status to tune its E3 ligase activity remains unresolved. Herein, we show that Met30 responds to flux through the trans-sulfuration pathway to regulate the MET gene transcriptional program. In particular, Met30 is responsive to the biological gas hydrogen sulfide, which is sufficient to induce ubiquitination of Met4 in vivo. Additionally, we identify important cysteine residues in Met30 's WD-40 repeat region that sense the availability of sulfur in the cell. Our findings reveal how SCF Met30 dynamically senses the flow of sulfur metabolites through the trans-sulfuration pathway to regulate the synthesis of these special amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-endurance cycling, particularly in events such as the Brevet de Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRMs), demands exceptional physical exertion and sustained energy management. In India, BRMs events, which span distances of 200 to 1000 kilometres, pose unique challenges for cyclists, necessitating prolonged physical preparation and consistent performance under demanding conditions. Nutrition plays a critical role in optimising energy availability, enhancing recovery and sustaining performance throughout these events. Despite the wealth of information available through social media, there remains a significant gap in scientifically grounded nutritional guidance specifically tailored to ultra-endurance cyclists. The aim of the present narrative review is to highlight the critical nutritional requirements and strategies essential for ultra-endurance cyclists participating in BRMs events. The review emphasises the need for evidence-based dietary practices to support optimal performance and recovery while addressing the current gap in scientific understanding. It also provides practical, research-informed nutritional guidance for athletes involved in these ultraendurance events. Pre-event preparation focuses on carbohydrate loading, hydration and balanced nutrition to maximise glycogen stores and ensure optimal hydration. During the event, continuous carbohydrate intake, electrolyte replenishment and hydration are critical for maintaining energy levels and preventing dehydration. Post-event recovery emphasises protein consumption for muscle repair, glycogen replenishment and rehydration. The findings underscore the importance of tailored nutritional strategies for ultraendurance cyclists to achieve optimal performance and recovery. Despite the abundance of general information available, there is a clear need for more research-based, practical nutritional guidelines specifically for ultra-endurance cycling. Future research should address this gap to provide athletes with evidence-based recommendations that support their unique nutritional needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (DOD) acknowledge that nutrition may be a modifier of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) sequelae. Military clinicians are considering nutritional supplements and dietary interventions when managing patients with mild TBI. Therefore, clinicians should be familiar with the current evidence for nutritional interventions in mild TBI and special considerations related to the military lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review aims to summarize the existing evidence surrounding the role of special diets and select nutrients in mild TBI outcomes, gut microbiota changes, and special considerations for Service members and Veterans recovering from mild TBI. METHODS: We conducted a literature review in PubMed and Google Scholar limited to nutritional interventions and nine topics with primary focus on mild TBI, although we included some articles related to moderate-to-severe TBI where relevant: 1) ketogenic diet, 2) Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, 3) omega-3 fatty acids, 4) creatine, 5) vitamin D, 6) weight management, 7) gut microbiota, 8) caffeine, and 9) alcohol. We summarized key findings and safety factors where appropriate for each intervention. We also identified nutritional supplement safety and operational rations considerations and areas in need of further research. RESULTS: Preclinical studies and early human trials suggest that the specific nutrients and diets discussed in the current article may offer neuroprotection or benefit during mild TBI rehabilitation. Omega-3 fatty acids, creatine, and vitamin D are generally safe when taken within recommended guidelines. CONCLUSION: More evidence is needed to support nutritional recommendations for enhancing neuroprotection and mitigating mild TBI symptoms in humans. The DOD's Warfighter Nutrition Guide recommends a whole food diet rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, micronutrients, probiotics, and fiber to optimize long-term health and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber source and direct-fed microbial supplementation on lactation performance and feeding behavior of high-producing dairy cows. Sixty-four multiparous Holstein cows (3.5 ± 1.6 [SD] lactations; 76 ± 22 DIM and 735 ± 67 kg of BW at covariate period initiation) and 32 gate feeders were enrolled in a study with a completely randomized design and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Cows and gate feeders were randomly assigned to treatments (16 cows and 8 gate feeds per treatment). Cows were allowed 1 wk to acclimate to feeding gates followed by a 2-wk covariate period. During the acclimation and covariate periods, all cows were fed the same diet to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements. Following the covariate period, cows were enrolled in a 8-wk treatment period during which cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments consisting of forage inclusion in the diet, either 45.8% (LF) or 56.7% (HF) of DM, and the supplementation of 75 mL/head per day of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) containing herbal extracts (mallow, mint, and sage), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum , Lentilactobacillus buchneri , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and sugar cane molasses (Valibiom Mix, Valibiotics AG, Emmen, Switzerland) or without supplementation (CON). The average covariate period value of each variable was used as a covariate. Three-way interactions were observed for DMI and feed efficiency. Dry matter intake was 2 to 3 kg greater for LF-DFM than HF-CON and HF-DFM during wk 2, 3, 5, and 8 of the treatment period. Milk production was 2.1 kg/d greater for LF than HF diets. Both milk fat and MUN concentrations were greater for HF than LF diets. Conversely, milk protein concentration was lower for HF than LF diets. The respiration rate measured in the morning was lower with DFM supplementation than CON. Rectal temperature measured in the morning and averaged for the day were greater for LF than HF diets. Under the conditions of the present study, feeding high-forage diets may be an alternative for producers to reduce feeding costs depending on the price of purchased feeds. However, nonforage fiber sources (i.e., soy hulls) must be considered when producers are challenged by either forage shortages or forage with a lower nutritive value. Additionally, DFM supplementation reduced respiration rate in the morning and affected meal behavior of lactating cows. The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because calves are born with low levels of antibodies, effective colostrum management is one of the most critical factors for successful calf rearing. A timely and adequate supply of sufficiently high-quality colostrum immediately after birth is essential to ensure the passive immunization of calves. Frozen colostrum reserves are recommended to fulfill the immunological and nutrient requirements of newborn calves, even in exceptional situations; however, the implementation rates on German dairy farms and challenges of realization remain unclear. A 33-question online survey, focused on frozen colostrum reserves, was developed to obtain an overview of colostrum management practices on German dairy farms. The questionnaire was divided into 3 sections: (1) personal data; (2) farm characteristics; (3) colostrum management. Of the 155 responses we received, 63.9% were from female farmers, and 35.5% were from male farmers. Conventional farming was practiced on 89.0% of farms, and organic farming was practiced on 7.1% of farms. Of the respondents, 89.0% froze colostrum. The main reasons for freezing colostrum were (1) the dam does not produce enough colostrum; (2) the dam cannot be milked; or (3) the dam died during birth. Farmers primarily froze colostrum from cows during their third to fifth lactation. Before freezing, 33.1% of the respondents measured indicators in the colostrum to estimate Ig concentrations, whereas 2.3% determined the colostrum quality after freezing. Reusable and disposable polyethylene terephthalate deposits (23.1%, 22.3%) and colostrum bags (20.0%) were the primary containers used to freeze colostrum. The main reasons for not freezing colostrum were the high labor intensity and the availability of fresh colostrum from other cows. Thawing methods included buckets (47.7%) and professional water baths (13.8%). The survey identified areas in which improved knowledge transfer could enhance colostrum management. Furthermore, there appeared to be a lack of specific, feasible instructions for employees concerning the practical implementation of colostrum management. Most importantly, the regular determination and documentation of immunoglobulin concentrations should be emphasized. The added value of stored colostrum, relative to a greater workload, should also be promoted, particularly on smaller farms. The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: University students experienced significant changes in their routines with the implementation of remote learning during Covid‐19 pandemic, including increase in sedentary behavior (SB) time and ultra‐processed foods (UPF's) consumption, which may have influenced changes in body mass index (BMI). Objective: To evaluate the association between the variation in SB time and UPF's consumption with the variation in BMI, before and during the pandemic, in university students. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study, conducted between November 2020 and February 2021, with students from a public university of Southeast of Brazil, who answered an online questionnaire with questions regarding to the period before and during the pandemic. SB was assessed through questions about time spent on TV and electronic devices. A score of the frequency of UPF's consumption was estimated based on the Brazilian Food Guide. Self‐reported information on height and body mass was used to calculate BMI. Results: The sample comprised 3390 university students, with an average age of 28.7 (± 10.0) years. Among them, 65.4% were undergraduates, and 66.9% were women. SB time, UPF score, and BMI increased significantly during the pandemic, compared to the previous period. In this population, there was a significant association between increased SB time (β = 0.06; SE = 0.01; p < 0.001) and UPF score (β = 0.08; SE = 0.01; p < 0.001) with an increase in BMI. Conclusion: Changes in SB time and UPF score were associated with an increase in BMI before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic in students from a Brazilian University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of oral frailty was first proposed in Japan in 2014 by the "Joint Working Committee on Oral Frailty," consisting of three academic societies—the Japan Geriatrics Society, the Japanese Society of Gerodontology, and the Japanese Association on Sarcopenia and Frailty—to enhance public understanding of oral frailty. Oral frailty is a state between robust oral function (a "healthy mouth") and its decline, characterized by slight declines in oral function, including tooth loss and difficulties in eating and communicating, which increase the risk of impaired oral functional capacity but can be reversed with proper intervention and treatment. Oral frailty can be assessed using the Oral Frailty 5‐item Checklist (OF‐5) without the need for a dental health professional. Oral frailty is defined as having at least two of the following components: (i) fewer teeth, (ii) difficulty chewing, (iii) difficulty swallowing, (iv) dry mouth, and (v) low articulatory oral motor skills. Approximately 40% of community‐dwelling older adults have oral frailty. Oral frailty is associated with poor dietary variety, social isolation, physical frailty, disability, and mortality. This statement introduces the concept and definition of oral frailty, a new assessment tool (OF‐5), and concept diagrams for healthcare professionals and the general public. These tools aim to promote public awareness and facilitate collaboration between medical and dental healthcare providers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1111–1119. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's increasing need for protein faces challenges in aquaculture production. New applications and tools will need to be added at every stage of the manufacturing line to attain this expansion sustainably, safely, and effectively. Utilizing experimental methods to increase aquatic animal production has become more common as aquatic biotechnology has advanced. High‐throughput omics technologies have been introduced to address these issues, including transcriptomic, metabolomic, proteomic, and genomes. But it also faces many difficulties, like other food manufacturing industries. One of the best and most durable approaches to address these issues is probably to understand nutritional requirements and modify diet based on need. Molecular approaches are a subset of multiomics technology. Previously, most of the published work was devoted to the biochemical aspects of protein–lipid interactions in biological systems. In this review, we explore this idea and highlight various works that fall under the umbrella of nutrigenomics, with a particular emphasis on protein utilization and its interactions with carbohydrates and lipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People use dietary supplements to offset nutritional deficiencies and manage metabolic dysfunction. While the beneficial effect of fish proteins on glucose homeostasis is well established, the ability of fish peptides to replicate the protein findings is less clear. With financial support from a programmatic Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Team grant, we aimed to identify salmon peptide fractions (SPFs) with the potential to mitigate metabolic dysfunction. Additionally, the grant aims included assessing whether vitamin D, a nutrient commonly found in salmon, could potentiate the beneficial effects of salmon peptides. In parallel, technologies were developed to separate and filter the isolated peptides. We employed an integrative approach that combined nutritional interventions in animal models and human subjects to identify metabolic pathways regulated by salmon peptides and other fish nutrients. This combination of interdisciplinary expertise revealed that a SPF could be a therapeutic tool used in the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases. Herein, we present a perspective of our CIHR funded grant that utilized a translational approach to establish the cardiometabolic health effects and mechanisms of action of fish nutrients: from animal models to clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mud crab has great demand globally, leading to extensive research that focuses on enhancing the crab survival in hatcheries. This study aimed to evaluate the optimal protein requirement of mud crabs during the transition from megalopa to the early instar stage. The megalopae were cultured in triplicate black containers (n = 30) and fed one of the five formulated diets containing 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% dietary protein for 14 days. The growth, survival, and larval stage composition were evaluated on days 7 and 14. The percentage of crab instars 1 (C1) on day 7 (20.07 ± 3.43% to 41.63 ± 5.77%) and C2 on day 14 (47.37 ± 2.35% to 57.96 ± 5.67%) revealed an increasing trend from the 40% to 55% protein level treatments, however, the percentage decreased in the 60% treatment. Growth performance exhibited a similar increasing trend from 40% to 55%, declining at 60%. Enhanced growth with 55% protein was supported by the lowest food conversion ratio (P < 0.05) and highest protein and lipid efficiency ratio (P < 0.05). However, the results did not differ significantly with the group fed with 50% protein. A second-order polynomial regression on the growth performance suggested that 51.3% is required for best growth during the transition of megalopa larvae to the early instar stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation on physical performance, neuromuscular and metabolic responses during CrossFit® exercise. Seventeen Advanced CrossFit®-trained athletes completed the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover protocol consisting of four visits, including two familiarization sessions and two experimental trials separated by a 7-day washout period. Participants supplemented 0.3 g/kg body mass (BM) of SB or placebo 120-min prior to performing the CrossFit® benchmark Fran followed by 500 m of rowing. SB improved time to complete Fran compared to PLA (291.2 ± 71.1 vs. 303.3 ± 77.8 s, p = 0.047), but not 500 m rowing (112.1 s ± 7.9 vs. 113.2 s ± 8.9 s, p = 0.26). No substantial side-effects were reported during the trials. This study showed that SB improved CrossFit® benchmark Fran performance, but not subsequent 500-m rowing. These data suggest that SB might be an interesting supplementation strategy for CrossFit® athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Ramadan fasting (RF) is associated with various physiological and metabolic changes among fasting Muslims. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are attributable to changes in meal timing or changes in dietary energy and macronutrient intakes. Furthermore, the literature on the associations between RF, meal timing, and energy and macronutrient intakes is inconclusive. Objectives This systematic review aimed to estimate the effect sizes of RF on energy and macronutrient intakes (carbohydrates, protein, fats, dietary fiber, and water) and determine the effect of different moderators on the examined outcomes. Data Sources The Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, ProQuest Medical, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to January 31, 2022. Data Extraction The studies that assessed energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, and water intakes pre- and post-fasting were extracted. Data Analysis Of the 4776 identified studies, 85 relevant studies (n = 4594 participants aged 9–85 y) were selected. The effect sizes for the studied variables were as follows: energy (number of studies [K] = 80, n = 3343 participants; mean difference [MD]: −142.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −215.19, −69.71), carbohydrates (K = 75, n = 3111; MD: −23.90; 95% CI: −36.42, −11.38), protein (K = 74, n = 3108; MD: −4.21; 95% CI: −7.34, −1.07), fats (K = 73, n = 3058; MD: −2.03; 95% CI: −5.73, 1.67), fiber (K = 16, n = 1198; MD: 0.47; 95% CI: −1.44, 2.39), and water (K = 17, n = 772; MD: −350.80; 95% CI: −618.09, 83.50). Subgroup analyses showed age significantly moderated the 6 dietary outcomes, and physical activity significantly moderated water intake. There were significant reductions in energy, carbohydrate, and protein intakes during RF. Conclusions The change in meal timing rather than quantitative dietary intake may explain various physiological and health effects associated with RF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims High diet quality is related to better health outcomes in general. During pregnancy, a high-quality diet is of paramount importance to promote optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes. This is a scoping review of research available on diet quality indexes (DQIs) for use during pregnancy that summarizes the DQIs in terms of development, country of origin, population used, components, scoring and weighting of components, and evaluation. Furthermore, the DQIs are discussed narratively to inform and direct the development of improved and country-specific DQIs for pregnancy. Methods The EBSCOhost database was used to identify English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2023, from which 11 publications were identified that describe the development of pregnancy-specific DQIs. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews model. Results Almost all DQIs (n = 9 of 11) were developed in high-income countries, using dietary intake data from food frequency questionnaires. Several DQIs (n = 5 of 11) used the US Healthy Eating Index as basis and modified it in various ways. Almost all DQIs included both foods and nutrients as components (n = 9 of 11), with vegetables being the most commonly included component alone (n = 8 of 11) or combined with fruit (n = 2 of 11). Conclusion Because most DQIs were developed using dietary guidelines, recommendations, and dietary intake data from high-income countries, it is recommended that pregnancy-specific DQIs be developed and validated to reflect the nutrition guidelines for lower-income and culturally diverse countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a study to characterize the nutritional composition of the main aquatic herbaceous plants in two protected areas within the Central Amazon. Our investigation aimed to evaluate possible nutritional variations in these plant species between two floodplains contrasting in fertility throughout the annual hydrological cycle and to examine if such differences might influence Amazonian manatee migration patterns. Plant samples were collected during high water levels (2007), receding water levels (2013), and low water levels (2008). Bromatological analysis was employed to characterize various nutritional parameters including dry matter, moisture, crude protein, fat, mineral matter, non-nitrogenous extract, and digestible energy. Our findings revealed no significant variations in nutritional contents between herbaceous plants from várzea and igapó environments. However, nutrient compositions varied within each floodplain type across different hydrological periods. High levels of fat and crude fiber observed in both environments during high and receding water periods suggest an energetic contribution to the manatee's reproductive, migratory, and feeding restrictions. Nonetheless, irrespective of hydrological periods and environmental types, Amazonian manatees appear to have assess to aquatic plants with adequate nutritional requirements. Thus, migrations may be more closely associated with physical constraints of the environments rather than solely driven by the animal's feeding demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pregnancy and myopia onset or progression in young adult women, utilizing a longitudinal cohort design with a substantial sample size. Myopia is a prevalent refractive error with significant public health and economic implications. There are genetic and environmental risk factors for myopia; however, the role of pregnancy in the development of myopia is unknown. No longitudinal studies with extensive sample sizes have clarified the relationship between pregnancy and myopia. This study included 100 women aged 20-50 years, who were followed up biennially for up to 14 years. Pregnancy occurrences and myopia assessments were recorded. A comparison of individuals with and without pregnancies revealed differences in the incidence of myopia and amblyopia, their ages, and body mass index. Hazard ratios for myopia onset or progression were significantly lower in individuals with at least one pregnancy, particularly during the early follow-up periods. Sensitivity analyses and adjustments for confounders supported these findings. This study demonstrated that pregnancy may prevent myopia onset or progression, particularly during early adulthood. Future research should confirm these findings and investigate the underlying mechanisms, informing clinical decisions, including refractive surgery timing in women of childbearing age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to improve the nutritional content of crackers made from a germinated flour mixture for children affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Chemical, physical, and sensory properties of crackers processed from germinated grain composite flours (maize, quinoa, finger millet, and fenugreek seeds) were compared to 100% maize crackers. Chemical analysis revealed that germinated mixture flour crackers (GMFCs) were higher in ash (2.14–2.40%), fiber (1.26–1.75%), protein (5.59–8.31%), and energy (379.64–404.77 kcal/100g) but lower in carbohydrates (70.51–61.05%). Five cracker formulas were prepared. Formula F5 (75% maize, 10% millet, and 5% fenugreek) had the highest calcium, magnesium, and total phenolic content. Formula F3 (85% maize, 10% quinoa, 10% millet, and 5% fenugreek) had the highest iron content, while Formula F4 (85% maize, 20% millet, and 5% fenugreek) had the highest zinc content and antioxidant activity. Maize crackers exhibited higher color characteristics (L*, a*, and b*) compared to the other GMFCs. Mean sensory evaluation indicated that the GMFCs were generally accepted by panelists. Overall acceptability and taste of crackers in Formula F4 were preferred by the panelists, particularly with the increased ratio of millet flour. This study demonstrated the potential of composite flours from GMFCs to produce acceptable, healthy, and nutritious crackers. All cracker formulas significantly contributed to the recommended dietary allowances for key nutrients in children, compared to the control. Therefore, it is recommended to use the studied grains to develop healthy bakery products suitable for people with celiac disease and ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary critiques current sugar intake guidelines, suggesting they oversimplify a complex issue and may lead to unintended outcomes. It advocates for reducing sugar-sweetened beverages, promoting healthy dietary patterns, and recognizing the diverse roles of sugars in foods. The piece calls for a more practical and sustainable approach to public health messaging, aiming for more effective dietary strategies that reflect the complexity of nutritional needs and food sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cysteine is an amino acid present in thiol proteins and often dictates their secondary structures. Although considered nonessential, cysteine may be essential for patients with certain metabolic diseases and can reduce the requirement for dietary methionine. Cysteine and some of its derivatives, such as N‐acetylcysteine, are considered antioxidants and widely used in animal aging studies. To provide insights into the potential anti‐aging effects of cysteine, we systematically reviewed and performed a meta‐analysis to investigate the impact of cysteine supplementation on lifespan using three model organisms: mice, nematodes, and fruit flies. A total of 13 mouse studies, 13 C. elegans studies, and 5 Drosophila studies were included in the analysis. The findings revealed that cysteine supplementation significantly reduced the risk of mortality in mice and C. elegans. Subgroup analysis showed consistent results across different starting times and administration methods and revealed adverse effects of high doses on worms and a lack of effect in nondisease mouse models. Similar to mice, the effects of cysteine supplementation on Drosophila were not statistically significant, except in transgenic flies. The study identified certain limitations, including the quality of the included studies and the potential for publication bias. We also discussed uncertainties in the underlying molecular mechanisms and the clinical application of dietary cysteine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary calcium pidolate (CalP) on performance, slaughtering characteristics, bone biomechanical properties, mineralisation and jejunum histomorphology in male broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were randomly assigned to one of four treatments as five pen replicates, each containing 10 chicks. The basal diet without CalP was formulated to supply the nutritional needs of broilers and the treatment diets contained 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 g/kg CalP, with limestone meeting the remaining calcium requirement.2. The addition of CalP had a quadratic effect on performance (P < 0.05) and the best performance was achieved in the group that included CalP at a dose of 0.45 g/kg but 0.60 g/kg level worsened performance. Supplementing with CalP linearly decreased carcass yield (P < 0.01) and relative breast weight (P ≤ 0.05) but the relative thigh weight increased quadratically (P < 0.05) and reached a maximum at 0.45 g/kg.3. Tibia shear force and stress linearly increased with the use of CalP in the diet (P < 0.05). Supplementation had a quadratic effect on tibial calcium (P < 0.01), reaching a maximum at 0.30 g/kg, although tibial phosphorus levels decreased linearly (P < 0.01).4. The effect of CalP on jejunum histomorphology fluctuated and, compared to the unsupplemented control group, the villus height/crypt depth ratio increased, while the other variables decreased (P < 0.05). Decrease in crypt depth with the addition of CalP was significant (P < 0.05).5. Using Ca-pidolate at a rate of 0.45 g/kg in broiler diets is sufficient to increase performance and tibia strength but 0.60 g/kg level negatively affected performance. In addition, the results of jejunum histomorphology were variable, but the crypt depth decreased with CalP levels and this is an important effect. However, further research is needed to detail the effect of CalP on broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study assesses special and mineral fertilizers and the splitting of fertilizer application in coffee - a crop with high nutritional requirements for full yield potential. A 4 × 3 factorial scheme was implemented with four fertilizers [mineral, mineral with polymer, organomineral with cellulosic residue (OM-CR), or sugarcane filter cake (OM-FC)] and three application times, or splits (100% at once, 50%+50%, 33.3%+33.3%+33.3%). Coffee plant height, canopy diameter, plagiotropic branch growth, leaf chlorophyll, nutrient contents in the soil and leaves, and harvest yield after fruit maturation were evaluated in two consecutive crop cycles. The results indicated that organomineral fertilizers performed similarly to other fertilizers regarding coffee leaf chlorophyll and plant height. Only one fertilizer application effectively increased canopy diameter in both crop cycles. In the first crop cycle, OM-FC and conventional mineral fertilizers were significantly better for coffee foliar N content. In contrast, in the second crop cycle, mineral-P, OM-CR, and OM-FC achieved satisfactory results with one fertilizer application, whereas conventional mineral fertilizer required three applications for superior results. There are no differences in leaf P content among different sources and frequencies of application. Still, mineral-P and OM-CR had better soil P content than the conventional mineral fertilizer. OM-CR required two applications to reach high levels of leaf K content, while other fertilizers achieved it with one application. Organomineral and protected mineral fertilizers performed similarly in both crop cycles, with two applications resulting in greater coffee yield in the second cycle, regardless of the fertilizer used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is crucial for the optimal (Opt) growth of bivalves, but the precise dietary DHA requirement remains undetermined in bivalves. Our study identifies the optimal dietary DHA requirement for razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and demonstrates its effects on fatty acid profiles and gene expression related to inflammation and detoxification. Microencapsulated feeds with different DHA levels (DHA1–6 groups: 1.68, 4.85, 9.49, 12.6, 15.59, and 16.95 mg g−1 dry matter) were prepared using spray drying. Razor clams (initial wet weight: 3.8 ± 0.6 mg) were fed these microcapsules for a period of 20 days. The present study showed that the clams in the DHA1 group exhibited significantly lower weight and shell length gain rates compared to those in the DHA3, DHA4, DHA5, and DHA6 groups. Based on the shell length gain rate, the Opt dietary requirement of DHA for clam is approximately 6.42 mg g−1 dry matter. The clams in the DHA2 group had significantly higher crude lipid content compared to those in the DHA1 and DHA6 groups, while the clams in the DHA1 group had the highest ash content, significantly higher than that in the DHA4 and DHA6 groups. The DHA levels in the clams increased with the increase in DHA content in the microcapsules, while the levels of total n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA), and alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) decreased. The mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (cox2) and 5-lipoxygenase type 2 (5-lox-2) were higher in the DHA1 and DHA6 groups compared to other microcapsule groups. As dietary DHA levels increased, the mRNA levels of nuclear factor kappa B (nfκb) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (nrf2) decreased. Additionally, the mRNA levels of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (gclc) and glutathione S-transferase (gst) were highest in the DHA1 group. This is the first study to determine the Opt DHA requirement for juvenile razor clams using microcapsules with different DHA levels, and this study further reveals that dietary DHA can help reduce inflammation and oxidative status in clams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition and insulin resistance are linked to complications like delirium, yet their impact on elderly heart failure patients remains underexplored. This study investigates how nutritional status and the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index influence delirium in this population. We conducted a retrospective study involving patients aged 75 and older with decompensated heart failure. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), and nutritional status was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale-Short Form (MNA-SF). The TyG index was calculated as: TyG index = ln [triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL) / 2]. The study included 412 patients (mean age 84.30 ± 5.16 years; 56.31% male), with 24.03% experiencing delirium during hospitalization. After adjusting for confounders, a higher TyG index was significantly associated with increased delirium risk (OR = 1.549, 95% CI: 1.102–2.178, P = 0.012), while a higher MNA-SF score correlated with reduced risk (OR = 0.793, 95% CI: 0.662–0.949, P = 0.011). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant differences in cumulative survival based on nutritional status and TyG index (Log-Rank test: χ²= 65.604, P < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that nutritional status partially mediated the relationship between the TyG index and delirium, and vice versa. Malnutrition and elevated TyG index levels increase delirium risk in elderly heart failure patients, underscoring the need for effective nutritional management and metabolic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many countries have introduced school food standards to improve the dietary intakes of school-aged children. England has school food standards (SFS) legislation in place but little is known about how well secondary schools comply with this. We aimed to assess compliance with the SFS legislation in English secondary schools and explore the impact of the SFS on pupils' nutritional intake. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with English secondary schools from 2019 to 2022. We compared SFS compliance and pupil nutritional intake in schools mandated or not mandated to comply with the SFS legislation, and explored the association between school compliance and pupil nutritional intake. We assessed the percentage of SFS (%SFS) complied with by reviewing school food menus and observing food served in school canteens. We assessed pupil nutritional intake using a 24-hour dietary recall measure (Intake24) and estimated intakes of free sugar (primary outcome) and other nutrients/foods. We used adjusted multilevel models to compare pupil intakes in the SFS-mandated and SFS-non-mandated schools, and to explore the association between school SFS compliance and pupil intakes. Results: 36 schools (23 not mandated and 13 mandated to comply with the SFS) and 2,273 pupils participated. The median %SFS complied with was 63.9% (interquartile range 60.0–70.0%). This was similar for SFS-non-mandated (64.5%) and SFS-mandated schools (63.3%). Compliance was highest for standards applying to lunchtime (median = 81.3%) and lowest for those applying across the whole school day (median = 41.7%). It was also lower for standards restricting high fat, sugar and energy-dense items (median = 26.1%) than for standards aiming to increase dietary variety (median = 92.3%). Pupils from SFS-mandated schools had a lower mean lunchtime intake of free sugar (g) (adjusted mean difference: -2.78g; 95% CI: -4.66g to -0.90g). There were few significant associations between %SFS complied with and pupil nutritional intake. Conclusions: English secondary schools do not fully comply with SFS legislation regardless of whether they are mandated to comply. Schools and caterers may require monitoring and support to fully comply. There is little evidence that SFS compliance is associated with better pupil nutritional intake. Food environments outside of school also need to be considered. Study registration: ISRCTN68757496 (17-10-2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Methods Results Conclusion Preterm infants need nutritional support due to their premature digestive system, undeveloped anatomy and functional limitations. Neonatal positioning in the proper position is one of the nurses' main principles that affect the residual volume. We performed our systematic review and network meta‐analysis to determine the best feeding position for preterm infants in reducing gastric residual volume and increasing the rate of gastric emptying.We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, CINHAL, Scopus and Web of Science from their inception to August 2023. We included studies that assess the effect of different feeding positions for preterm infants on gastric residuals. The Cochrane risk of bias tool (ROB2) appraised the included clinical trials. Cohort studies were assessed by the NIH tool and quasi‐experimental studies by the relevant items from (Downs and Black) checklist. RevMan Version 5.4 was used for analysing the pooled data. Our study included a frequentist network meta‐analysis of the aggregate data to obtain network estimates for the outcomes of interest. Network meta‐analysis was done using R software.We included 16 studies with 1139 premature infants, comparing six preterm feeding positions. The pooled MD and 95% CI for GRV at 30 min for right lateral, prone, right anterior oblique and left lateral compared to supine position were as follows: (−12.08 [−20.09, −4.07]), (−11.14 [−18.26, −4.01]), (−9.02 [−21.66, 3.61]) and (−0.18 [−7.87, 7.5]), respectively. Moreover, the pooled MD and 95% CI for GRV at 180 min for right lateral, prone and left lateral compared to supine position were as follows: (−0.69 [−1.29, −0.09]), (−0.56 [−1.22, 0.1]) and (0.09 [−0.63, 0.81]), respectively. Nevertheless, the pooled MD and 95% CI for GRV at 120 min for right anterior oblique, prone, right lateral and left lateral compared to supine position were as follows: (−6.09 [−11.33, −0.86]), (−5.07 [−7.71, −2.43]), (−3.08 [−5.89, −0.27]) and (−0.44 [−3.41, 2.53]), respectively.We concluded that the best nursing position after preterm infants feeding for lower gastric residuals and higher gastric emptying rate is the right lateral position after 30 and 180 min post‐feeding. Also, the right anterior oblique was the best after 120 min. Although the prone position can lower the GRV better than the left lateral and supine positions, it is not advisable to use this position because it raises the SIDS risk. Our results could help healthcare professionals to provide the appropriate positioning of preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition may affect animal health due to the strong link between them. Also, diets improve the healing process in various disease states. Cancer is a disease, where the harmful consequences of tumors severely impair the body. The information regarding the evolution of this disease is extrapolated from human to animal because there are few specific studies regarding nutritional needs in animals with cancer. Thus, this paper aims to review the literature regarding the immunomodulatory effects of vitamins in mammal cancer. An adequate understanding of the metabolism and requirements of nutrients for mammals is essential to ensuring their optimal growth, development, and health, regardless of their food sources. According to these: 1) Some species are highly dependent on vitamin D from food, so special attention must be paid to this aspect. Calcitriol/VDR signaling can activate pro-apoptotic proteins and suppress antiapoptotic ones. 2) Nitric oxide (NO) production is modulated by vitamin E through inhibiting transcription nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activation. 3) Thiamine supplementation could be responsible for the stimulation of tumor cell proliferation, survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. 4) Also, it was found that the treatment with NO-Cbl in dogs is a viable anti-cancer therapy that capitalizes on the tumor-specific properties of the vitamin B12 receptor. Therefore, diets should contain the appropriate class of compounds in adequate proportions. Also, the limitations of this paper are that some vitamins are intensively studied and at the same time regarding others, there is a lack of information, especially in animals. Therefore, some subsections are longer and more heavily debated than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although national food guides are designed, ostensibly, to translate scientific evidence with respect to food, dietary patterns, and health, their development has increasingly become a corporate/political process as well as scientific one; often with corporate/political influences overriding science. Our aim was to construct an unbiased, sustainable, evidence-informed Universal Food Guide to serve as a template for countries to develop their unique guides, thereby, provide a valid resource for health professionals, health authorities, and the public. Methods: To address our aim, we conducted an integrative review of multiple evidence-informed sources (e.g., established databases, evidence syntheses, scholarly treatises, and policy documents) related to four areas: 1. Food guides' utility and conflicts of interest; 2. The evidence-based healthiest diet; 3. Constituents of the Universal Food Guide template; and 4. Implications for population health; regulation/governance; environment/climate/planetary health; and ethics. Results: The eating pattern that is healthiest for humans (i.e., most natural, and associated with maximal health across the life cycle; reduced non-communicable disease (NCD) risk; and minimal end-of-life illness) is whole food, low fat, plant-based, especially vegan, with the absence of ultra-processed food. Disparities in national food guide recommendations can be explained by factors other than science, specifically, corporate/political interests reflected in heavily government-subsidized, animal-sourced products; and trends toward dominance of daily consumption of processed/ultra-processed foods. Both trends have well-documented adverse consequences, i.e., NCDs and endangered environmental/planetary health. Commitment to an evidence-informed plant-based eating pattern, particularly vegan, will reduce risks/manifestations of NCDs; inform healthy food and nutrition policy regulation/governance; support sustainable environment/climate and planetary health; and is ethical with respect to 'best' evidence-based practice, and human and animal welfare. Conclusion: The Universal Food Guide that serves as a template for national food guides is both urgent and timely given the well-documented health-harming influences that corporate stakeholders/politicians and advisory committees with conflicts of interest, exert on national food guides. Such influence contributes to the largely-preventable NCDs and environmental issues. Policy makers, health professionals, and the public need unbiased, scientific evidence as informed by the Universal Food Guide, to inform their recommendations and choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human milk comprehensively meets the nutritional needs of a child, providing not only structural and energy components but also various bioactive factors. Among these, neurotrophic factors and hormones involved in metabolic processes deserve special attention. Studies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays compared the content of neurotrophic factors—CNTF, NT-3, and NGF—and hormones, leptin and insulin, in two groups of breast milk samples: early lactation (1–3 months) and extended lactation (>6 months, up to 12 months). The results indicated changes in leptin and insulin levels as the lactation period extended. NGF, leptin, and insulin were present in milk samples from both study groups, with leptin and insulin levels being higher in the early lactation group. CNTF and NT-3 were not detected in any of the samples from either study group. The analyses confirmed that human milk from women who breastfeed for extended periods remains a source of biologically active components and macronutrients that support a child's development and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study focuses on improving how we feed pigs to reduce costs and be more environmentally friendly. Traditionally, pigs are fed in phases with their diet changing at set growth stages. This often leads to overfeeding and waste. A new method called the daily fit model (DFM), which adjusts the diet daily based on the pigs' needs, was explored. By comparing this new approach with the traditional method, it was found that the DFM significantly reduces the intake of key nutrients like protein and phosphorus without affecting the pigs' growth. This means lower costs for farmers and less environmental impact from pig farming. The simplified approach makes it easier for farmers to adopt precision feeding without advanced technology or extensive training. This method can help farmers save money, reduce waste, and promote sustainable farming practices. Precision feeding is an excellent alternative to conventional phase feeding systems for growing-finishing pigs, especially with increasing feeding costs and environmental sustainability concerns. However, precision feeding strategies sometimes require advanced technologies such as electronic devices and the modernization of pig facilities. In addition to hardware implementation, precision feeding is frequently related to mathematical difficulties due to a lack of professionals trained in decision making. Therefore, this study compares a conventional phase feeding model (CON) and a daily fit model (DFM) with a simplified approach to the conscious use of nutrients for pig production. A simulation study was conducted using growth curves of barrow pigs, following three nutritional recommendations for conventional phase feeding. Once the nutrient requirements for CON were determined, these diets were used for the DFM by anticipating a proportional percentage of the next phase diet in the current diet. This simple adjustment does not impair the growth performance of pigs. However, in this study, the DFM showed promise during the growing-finishing phases to reduce pigs' costs and nutrient intakes, such as crude protein, lysine, and digestible phosphorus, up to 5.58, 7.11 and 9.13%, respectively. In conclusion, the DFM can effectively reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, and promote sustainable practices. Also, this industry-wide adoption of this simplified precision feeding strategy could play a vital role in swine farmers' challenges, fostering broader environmental benefits and improved resource efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While complementary feeding can be challenging, little emphasis has been placed on the introduction to food texture/pieces, especially in terms of neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study aims to determine the association between the timing of introduction to food pieces during infancy and neurodevelopment in early childhood. We hypothesized that late introduction to food texture/pieces relates to unfavorable neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methods: Families (n = 18329) were recruited from the general population during the nationwide ELFE (Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance) birth cohort in France, and 8511 were selected for a complete case analysis. Age at introduction to food pieces was determined based on repeated assessments during the first year. A range of neurodevelopmental outcomes among children were assessed using validated instruments, i.e. composite scores at 1 and 3.5 years, and a score for language acquisition at 2 years. Risk for developmental delay at 3.5 years was defined based on a developmental quotient (DQ) below 90 according to the child's chronological age and the respective composite score at this age. We used linear regression modelling to evaluate associations between age at introduction to food pieces and the standardised neurodevelopmental scores, while logistic regression models were used in the analyses according to the risk for developmental delay. Results: Our findings highlight consistent associations between late introduction to food pieces (i.e., after 10 months, compared to early (before 8 months)) and lower estimates of standardised neurodevelopmental scores at ages 1, 2 and 3.5 years (-0.35 [-0.40; -0.30], -0.15 [-0.20; -0.10] and − 0.18 [-0.23; -0.13], respectively). Infants introduced to pieces late were also more likely to be at risk for developmental delay according to DQ < 90 (OR [95%CI] = 1.62 [1.36; 1.94]). Conclusions: This study shows that late introduction to food pieces (> 10 months) is related to lower neurodevelopmental scores. Given the challenges that complementary feeding may pose, concerted efforts are required to enhance our understanding of the sensory aspects of early diets and to ultimately provide guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department 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.)

Glioma is a type of brain tumor closely related to abnormal cell metabolism. Firstly, multiple combinatorial sequencing studies have revealed this relationship. Genomic studies have identified gene mutations and gene expression disorders related to the development of gliomas, which affect cell metabolic pathways. In addition, transcriptome studies have revealed the genes and regulatory networks that regulate cell metabolism in glioma tissues. Metabonomics studies have shown that the metabolic pathway of glioma cells has changed, indicating their distinct energy and nutritional requirements. This paper focuses on the retrospective analysis of multiple groups combined with sequencing to analyze the changes in various metabolites during metabolism in patients with glioma. Finally, the changes in genes, regulatory networks, and metabolic pathways regulating cell metabolism in patients with glioma under different metabolic conditions were discussed. It is also proposed that multi-group metabolic analysis is expected to better understand the mechanism of abnormal metabolism of gliomas and provide more personalized methods and guidance for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis evaluation of gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the dietary pyridoxine requirements of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) post‐smolts with an initial mean body weight of 180.22 ± 0.41 g. Seven diets were prepared with gradient pyridoxine levels of 0.32, 1.25, 2.56, 4.08, 8.24, 16.02, and 32.32 mg/kg, respectively, and each diet was assigned to three replication groups of 10 fish. The results revealed that coho salmon fed the diet with pyridoxine supplementation gained more final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR), and better feed conversion ratio (FCR). FBW and SGR of the fish fed the diet with 8.24 mg/kg pyridoxine were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < 0.05). An inverse trend was observed for FCR, which was the lowest in fish fed the diet with 8.24 mg/kg pyridoxine. The gradient pyridoxine levels did not yield any statistically (P > 0.05) significant impact on the whole‐body composition including moisture, ash, crude lipid, and crude protein. The hepatic pyridoxine concentration, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities increased significantly with dietary pyridoxine levels increasing from 0.32 to 4.08 mg/kg (P < 0.05) and plateaued after that (P > 0.05). The coho salmon fed the diet with 8.24 mg/kg pyridoxine achieved the maximum superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as the minimum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and malondialdehyde. Broken line analysis of SGR, FCR, AST, and ALT activities reflected the optimal dietary pyridoxine requirements for coho salmon post‐smolts from 3.92 to 7.08 mg/kg diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Helping residents select nutrient-dense foods is a strategy to improve their diet quality. However, communication based on the nutrient-dense foods as a positive attribute has not been widely used in nutritional education. This study aimed to develop an educational tool based on the picture and guidance of "Chinese food guide pagoda (2022) ", extend it with the concept of nutrient density, and investigate its acceptance by Chinese residents from Henan province. Methods: Three examples (one-day diet with high, medium, and low nutrient-rich food (NRF) 9.2 score, an indicator for evaluating dietary nutrient density) were designed for developing a dietary nutrient density educational tool. A self-designed questionnaire was conducted to investigate the acceptance of the "dietary nutrient density educational tool" among college students from Henan province on the basis of the theory of planned behavior. Results: Among the three one-day diets used in the tool, with the decrease in the NRF9.2 score, the energy intake increased from 1686 kcal to 2363 kcal, the dietary fat-to-energy ratio increased from 28 to 42%, and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) decreased from 0.97 to 0.87. A total of 851 college students completed the acceptance questionnaire. The average score of the acceptance was 4.07, with a total score of 5. This study showed that resident's intention to use the tool was correlated with family residence, perceptual behavior control, and subjective norms. These three factors accounted for 83.5% of the variation in behavior intention. Conclusion: To encourage residents choosing healthier foods, a dietary nutrient density educational tool was developed to expanding the current instructional tool—the Chinese food guide pagoda (2022). The acceptance questionnaire survey revealed that residents had good acceptance of the tool, and family residence, perceptual behavior control, subjective norms may strongly contribute to their acceptance and the intention to use of the tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous single nutrients have been suggested to be linked with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). However, data on nutrient patterns (NPs), particularly in Chinese population, are scarce. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutrient-based dietary patterns and LTL, and the potential role of metabolic factors. Methods: Dietary data was obtained via 24-hour food recalls, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify NPs. LTL was assessed using a real-time PCR assay. Multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the association between NPs and LTL. The potential role of metabolism among them was analyzed using mediation models. Results: A total of 779 individuals from northern China were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Five main nutrient patterns were identified. Adjusted linear regression showed that the "high sodium" pattern was inversely associated with LTL (B=-0.481(-0.549, -0.413), P < 0.05). The "high vitamin E-fat" pattern exhibited a positive correlation (B = 0.099(0.029, 0.170), P < 0.05), whereas the "high vitamin A-vitamin B2" pattern was negatively correlated with LTL (B=-0.120(-0.183, -0.057), P < 0.05), respectively. No significant associations were observed for the remaining nutrient patterns. The mediation model demonstrated that diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference could individually and collectively mediate the negative impact of the "high sodium" pattern on LTL (BDBP=-0.0173(-0.0333, -0.0041), BWC=-0.0075(-0.0186, -0.0004), Bjoint=-0.0033 (-0.0072, -0.0006), all P < 0.05). Moreover, glycosylated hemoglobin and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol mediate the relationship between the "high vitamin E-fat" pattern and LTL (BHbA1c=0.0170(0.0010,0.0347), Bnon-HDL-C= 0.0335 (0.0067, 0.0626), all P < 0.05), respectively. Conclusions: The "high sodium" and "high vitamin E-fat" nutrient patterns demonstrated negative and positive associations with LTL and metabolic indicators may play complex mediating roles in these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important constraint limiting crop productivity in many parts of the world and especially among resource-poor farmers, is poor soil fertility. Maintenance of soil quality on sustainable bases can reduce the problems of soil degradation, decreasing soil fertility and rapidly declining factor productivity, a common concern in large parts of the world in today's agriculture production systems. Minerals, organic manures and microorganisms are three major components contributing for sustaining soil fertility and productivity. Among these, biofertilizers are the products containing different beneficial microorganisms which helpto meet the nutritional requirement of crops with minimum investments. Forages are least priority crops with many farmers. Thus, biofertilizers can be an important source to meet out the nutritional requirement of forage crops which are grown with minimum input supply. Commonly used bio-agents are nitrogen fixers, phosphorus and potassium solubilizers. Biofertilizers would play key role in maintaining soil productivity on sustainable basis and also in protecting the environment as eco-friendly and cost-effective inputs. Biofertilizers can improve productivity in a relatively short time, consume smaller amounts of energy and promote antagonism and biological control of phytopathogenic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the most widely cultivated freshwater fish because it can grow well in tropical countries and temperate regions. This research aims to create artificial feed that matches the nutritional parameters needed by nile tilapia. This artificial feed will use the basic ingredients of shrimp waste, with addition of oilcake, bran, starch flour, vitamins, squid oil, and water. There are four variables used to make artificial feed with different basic and additional ingredients, as well as varied processing techniques. After artificial feed is completed, proximate analysis will be carried out to test composition of crude fiber, carbohydrates, water, fat, ash, and protein using various methods. The test method for the composition of crude fiber, carbohydrates, fat, ash, and protein follows the method set by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Based on the results of proximate analysis, variable 1 (V1) has fulfilled the nutritional content of protein and moisture content needed by nile tilapia. This shows that artificial feed formulations from shrimp waste can be used because protein is an important element for nile tilapia growth, but the content of crude fiber, carbohydrates, fat, and ash exceeds ideal value for nile tilapia nutrition. This also occurs in variables 2, 3, and 4 that have not met nutritional needs, especially protein. However, the composition of artificial feed with shrimp waste and addition of meal, bran, starch flour, vitamins, and water in V1 can be further investigated to reduce the content of crude fiber, carbohydrates, fat, and ash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FDA has implemented 21 CFR 111 guidelines to regulate the production of dietary supplements that are sold in dosage forms. Creating an effective quality system demands both time and financial resources. However, the robust quality systems model of cGMP can offer the necessary controls to ensure acceptable quality. The current review focuses on the general quality system requirements of dietary supplements as per 21 CFR 111 regulations. The requirements mentioned in each subpart are discussed in the study. According to this study, a manufacturing firm can guarantee the consistency and quality of dietary supplements distributed to the USA by adhering to 21 CFR 111 regulations. A dietary supplement manufacturing company, therefore, has to comply with 21 CFR 111 and thus can be an FDA-approved plant. According to the findings of the study, a dietary supplement manufacturing firm can fulfill its commitment to quality by setting up a suitable quality system that can obtain the approval of the regulatory authorities to which it plans to export its products and thus can achieve customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a global catastrophe causing reduced sunlight, the environment would become unfavorable for crop growth. Under such conditions, people might need to convert inedible plant biomass into food to meet their daily nutritional requirements. However, the possibility of converting biomass into food under low‐resource conditions has not been thoroughly studied. To address this uncertainty, we evaluated the potential for using resources available in a typical household to extract sugars from willow biomass and meet the carbohydrate needs of an adult. Grinding willow biomass in a household blender for 24 min produced willow particles similar to those produced in a laboratory‐scale Wiley mill. Thermal treatments of these particles with hot water extraction, pressure cooking, or microwaving only extracted 0.5%–0.8% (w/w) glucose from the biomass. Household acid or alkali treatments yielded only 0.5% (w/w) glucose. These sugar yields would be insufficient to provide nutrition to an adult. In contrast, enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated willow at 50°C for 72 h yielded 2%–8% (w/w) glucose, and pretreating willow with sodium hydroxide and pressure before enzymatic treatment increased glucose yields to 28% (w/w). With this pretreatment approach and subsequent enzymatic conversion, ~1.4 kg of biomass/day could potentially fulfill the energy needs of an adult under post‐catastrophic conditions. We posit that while biomass can be successfully pretreated for enzymatic deconstruction at a household level, producing sufficient enzymes for efficient sugar extraction from inedible plant biomass in a post‐catastrophic environment might not be feasible at the household scale, thus requiring community‐scale infrastructure and coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of nitrogen fertilizer is matched with the nutrient requirements in different growth stages of plants, which coordinates their vegetative and reproductive growth. In this study, the influences of nitrogen concentration before and after initiation of flower bud differentiation (first and second stage, respectively) on pepper seedling quality were studied. The chlorophyll a content, sucrose synthase activity, and sucrose phosphate synthase activity of pepper seedlings grown under moderate nitrogen (15 mmol L−1) in the first stage combined with high nitrogen (25.61 mmol L−1) in the second stage were 15.7%, 39.3%, and 34.6% higher than those of the same nitrogen concentration (15 mmol L−1) in the first and second stages treatment, respectively. The regression model also showed that the values of flower bud diameter, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, and glutamine synthetase activity of pepper were high under the condition of moderate nitrogen in the first stage and higher nitrogen in the second stage. In addition, the results of comprehensive evaluation showed that moderate nitrogen (15 mmol L−1) in the first stage and high nitrogen (25.61 mmol L−1) in the second stage treatment ranked first, which improved carbon and nitrogen metabolism, increased biomass accumulation, and promoted the flower bud differentiation and flowering of pepper seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyses the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Data. The multilevel logistic regression is used as the model estimation technique. The study investigates how the intersection of being a paternal orphan or vulnerable child and having close versus distant biological relations with the household head impacts wasting. Findings indicate that paternal orphans or vulnerable children who are grandchildren face the greatest significant probability of wasting compared to paternal orphans or vulnerable children who are biological children and non-orphans/non-vulnerable children who are grandchildren. Grandparent-headed households are not meeting the nutritional needs of paternal orphans and vulnerable children who are grandchildren. Policy needs to focus on directing monetary, food, and health resources to grandmothers caring for orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]