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Transmembrane proteins (TMPs) are pivotal components of plant defence mechanisms, serving as essential mediators in the response to biotic stresses. These proteins are among the most complex and diverse within plant cells, making their study challenging. In spite of this, relatively few studies have focused on the investigation and characterization of TMPs in plants. This is particularly true for grapevine. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of TMP-encoding genes involved in grapevine immunity. These genes include Lysin Motif Receptor-Like Kinases (LysM-RLKs), which are involved in the recognition of pathogens at the apoplastic level, Plant Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homologs (Rbohs), which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for host defense, and Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs), which play a role in nutrient allocation and stress responses. Furthermore, the review discusses the methodologies employed to study TMPs, including in vivo , in vitro and in silico approaches, highlighting their strengths and limitations. In vivo studies include the assessment of TMP function in whole plants or plant tissues, while in vitro experiments focus on isolating and characterizing either specific TMPs or their components. In silico analyses utilize computational tools to predict protein structure, function, and interactions. By identifying and characterizing genes encoding TMPs involved in grapevine immunity, researchers can develop strategies to enhance grapevine resilience and lead to more sustainable viticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recently discovered SWEET (Sugar Will Eventually be Exported Transporter) proteins are involved in the selective transport of monosaccharides and disaccharides. The prokaryotic counterparts, semiSWEETs, form dimers with each monomer forming a triple‐helix transmembrane bundle (THB). The longer eukaryotic SWEETs have seven transmembrane helices with two THBs and a linker helix. Structures of semiSWEETs/SWEETs have been determined experimentally. Experimental studies revealed the role of plant SWEETs in vital physiological processes and identified residues responsible for substrate selectivity. However, SWEETs/semiSWEETs from metazoans and bacteria are not characterized. In this study, we used structure‐based sequence alignment and compared more than 2000 SWEET/semiSWEETs from four different taxonomic groups. Conservation of residue/chemical property was examined at all positions. Properties of clades/subclades of phylogenetic trees from each taxonomic group were analyzed. Conservation pattern of known residues in the selectivity‐filter was used to predict the substrate preference of plant SWEETs and some clusters of metazoans and bacteria. Some residues at the gating and substrate‐binding regions, pore‐facing positions and at the helix–helix interface are conserved across all taxonomic groups. Conservation of polar/charged residues at specific pore‐facing positions, helix–helix interface and in loops seems to be unique for plant SWEETs. Overall, the number of conserved residues is less in metazoan SWEETs. Plant and metazoan SWEETs exhibit high conservation of four and three proline residues respectively in "proline tetrad." Further experimental studies can validate the predicted substrate selectivity and significance of conserved polar/charged/aromatic residues at structurally and functionally important positions of SWEETs/semiSWEETs in plants, metazoans and bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source–sink relationship is critical for proper plant growth and development, particularly for vegetative axillary buds, whose activity shapes the branching pattern and ultimately the plant architecture. Once formed from axillary meristems, axillary buds remain dormant or become active to grow into new branches. This transition is notably driven by the regulation of the bud sink strength, which is reflected in the ability to unload, metabolize and store photoassimilates. Plants have so far developed two main mechanisms for unloading sugars (sucrose) towards sink organs, a symplasmic pathway and an apoplasmic pathway, but so far limited investigations have been reported about the modes of sugar uptake during the transition from the dormant to the active outgrowth state of the bud. The available data indicate that the switch from dormant bud to active outgrowing state, requires sugar and is shortly preceded by an increase in bud metabolic activity and a remobilization of the stem starch reserves in favor of growing buds. This activation of the bud sink strength is accompanied by an up-regulation of the main markers of apoplasmic unloading, such as sugar transporters (sucrose transporters—SUTs; sugar will eventually be exported transporters—SWEETs), sucrose hydrolyzing enzymes (cell wall invertase—CWINV) and sugar metabolic pathways (glycolysis/tricarboxylic cycle—TCA; oxidative pentose phosphate pathway—OPPP). As these results are limited to a few species, they are not sufficient to provide a complete and accurate picture of the mode(s) of sugar unloading toward axillary buds and deserve to be complemented by additional studies in a wide variety of plants using systems integration, combining genetic, molecular and immunolocalization approaches. Altogether, we discuss here how sugar is a systemic regulator of shoot branching, acting both as an energy-rich molecule and a signaling entity in the establishment of the bud sink strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sweets, chocolate, and sweet bakery products are generally high in energy and added sugar, whereas the levels of essential nutrients and fibre are low. According to sales statistics, the consumption of sweets and chocolate is high in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Objective: This scoping review describes the totality of evidence for the role of sweets and other sugary foods for health-related outcomes as a basis for setting and updating food-based dietary guidelines in the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR2023) project. Design: We conducted a literature search to identify systematic reviews published between 2011 and 2021. The literature search resulted in 756 papers, of which 12 were included in this scoping review as sources of evidence. We also used evidence from the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion on tolerable upper intake level for dietary sugars published in 2022. Results: Most of the papers included from the search focused on chocolate or cocoa, which are rich in flavonoids. We found some evidence linking chocolate consumption with lower blood pressure, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and improved insulin markers, but the evidence was ranked low or very low. The search did not identify systematic reviews investigating the associations between other sugary food consumption and health outcomes. In the EFSA review, conclusions were not drawn for other sugar sources than sugar-sweetened beverages. However, for fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting triglycerides, and uric acid, there was a statistically significant effect of high sugar intake from solid foods compared to low sugar intake. Conclusion: Because sweets, chocolate, and other sugary foods are high in energy and added sugar, and low in essential nutrients and fibre, it is reasonable to limit their consumption, which is reported high in the Nordic countries.

Background: Poor dietary patterns pose a significant health challenge for children, hindering their ideal growth and development. Objective: We explored the adherence of secondary and high schoolchildren to healthy dietary guidelines in the Kurdistan Region. Subjects and Methods: We included a random sample of 554 students (13–18 years) from the available high schools in Duhok City in 2022. Results: Generally, students had a low level of healthy diet, which was not significantly influenced by sociodemographic and diet-related characteristics. A notable number of students skipped breakfast (32.31%). A majority of students consumed fruits 1–6 times/day (40.97%), whereas their vegetable intake was predominantly 50 whole grains. Conclusions: Schoolchildren have a low adherence to healthy dietary guidelines in Kurdistan Region.

Foods associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. Source: Corresponding Author.

Background: Nectar is offered by numerous flowering plants to attract pollinators. To date, the production and secretion of nectar have been analyzed mainly in eudicots, particularly rosids such as Arabidopsis. However, due to the enormous diversity of flowering plants, further research on other plant species, especially monocots, is needed. Ananas comosus (monocot) is an economically important species that is ideal for such analyses because it produces easily accessible nectar in sufficient quantities. In addition, the analyses were also carried out with Nicotiana tabacum (dicot, asterids) for comparison. Results: We performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses of the nectaries of Ananas comosus and Nicotiana tabacum, to test whether the mechanisms described for nectar production and secretion in Arabidopsis are also present in these plant species. The focus of these analyses is on carbohydrate metabolism and transport (e.g., sucrose-phosphate synthases, invertases, sucrose synthases, SWEETs and further sugar transporters). In addition, the metabolites were analyzed in the nectar, nectaries and leaves of both plant species to address the question of whether concentration gradients for different metabolites exist between the nectaries and nectar The nectar of N. tabacum contains large amounts of glucose, fructose and sucrose, and the sucrose concentration in the nectar appears to be similar to the sucrose concentration in the nectaries. Nectar production and secretion in this species closely resemble corresponding processes in some other dicots, including sucrose synthesis in nectaries and sucrose secretion by SWEET9. The nectar of A. comosus also contains large amounts of glucose, fructose and sucrose and in this species the sucrose concentration in the nectar appears to be higher than the sucrose concentration in the nectaries. Furthermore, orthologs of SWEET9 generally appear to be absent in A. comosus and other monocots. Therefore, sucrose export by SWEETs from nectaries into nectar can be excluded; rather, other mechanisms, such as active sugar export or exocytosis, are more likely. Conclusion: The mechanisms of nectar production and secretion in N. tabacum appear to be largely similar to those in other dicots, whereas in the monocotyledonous species A. comosus, different synthesis and transport processes are involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis, metabolism and transport of plant carbohydrates in different tissues and organs of "source-sink-flow" are essential for the normal life activities of organism. Among them, the short-distance or long-distance transport of sugars, such as sucrose, glucose and fructose, play a key role in the "flow" from source to sink, the transport and distribution of carbohydrates require the synergistic involvement of multiple cellular sugar transporters. Sugars will eventually be exported transporters（SWEETs） exhibit diverse functions, participating in regulating important physiological processes such as nutrient allocation, utilization, tissue organ growth, and development, as well as responding to biotic and abiotic stress by maintaining or regulating cellular sugar levels. This review summarizes the research progress in the basic structural characteristics, physiological functions, and stress responses of the SWEETs gene family, which holds significant implications for understanding plant cellular physiology and research areas like biotic breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmembrane proteins (TMPs) are pivotal components of plant defence mechanisms, serving as essential mediators in the response to biotic stresses. These proteins are among the most complex and diverse within plant cells, making their study challenging. In spite of this, relatively few studies have focused on the investigation and characterization of TMPs in plants. This is particularly true for grapevine. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of TMP-encoding genes involved in grapevine immunity. These genes include Lysin Motif Receptor-Like Kinases (LysM-RLKs), which are involved in the recognition of pathogens at the apoplastic level, Plant Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homologs (Rbohs), which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for host defense, and Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs), which play a role in nutrient allocation and stress responses. Furthermore, the review discusses the methodologies employed to study TMPs, including in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches, highlighting their strengths and limitations. In vivo studies include the assessment of TMP function in whole plants or plant tissues, while in vitro experiments focus on isolating and characterizing either specific TMPs or their components. In silico analyses utilize computational tools to predict protein structure, function, and interactions. By identifying and characterizing genes encoding TMPs involved in grapevine immunity, researchers can develop strategies to enhance grapevine resilience and lead to more sustainable viticulture.

Abstract Sugars will be eventually effluxed transporters (SWEETs) have been confirmed to play diverse physiological roles in plant growth, development and stress response. However, the characteristics and functions of the SWEET genes in Hemerocallis citrina remain unclear and poorly elucidated. In this study, the whole genome of Hemerocallis citrina was utilized to conduct bioinformatics analysis and a total of 19 HcSWEET genes were successfully identified. Analysis of the physicochemical properties indicated dominant differences among these HcSWEETs. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that HcSWEET proteins can be divided into 4 clades ranging from Clade I to IV, where proteins within the same clade exhibited shared conserved motifs and gene structures. Five to six exons were contained in the majority of HcSWEET genes, which were unevenly distributed across 11 chromosomes. The gene duplication analysis showed the presence of 4 gene pairs. Comparative syntenic maps revealed that the HcSWEET gene family might present more closed homology in monocotyledons than dicotyledons. Cis-acting element analysis of HcSWEET genes indicated key responsiveness to various hormones, light, and stresses. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing analysis suggested that most HcSWEET genes had a relatively higher expression in roots, and HcSWEET4a was significantly up-regulated under salt stress. Overexpression further verified the possibility that HcSWEET4a was involved in response to salt stress, which provides novel insights and facilitates in-depth studies of the functional analysis of HcSWEETs in resistance to abiotic stress.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the associations of eating habits with self-rated health and life satisfaction in adolescents using a multiple-country sample. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) 2013/2014 wave was used in this study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data on independent variables including breakfast on weekdays, breakfast at weekends, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and soft dirks. Outcomes included self-rated health and life satisfaction. Regression models were used to assess the associations between the independent variables and the two outcomes, separately, after controlling for covariates. Results were presented using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Of all the study participants (aged 11–15 years), 50.8% were girls. Compared with no consumption of breakfast on weekdays, eating breakfast for five days had 1.22 times greater likelihood for improved self-rated health (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.19–1.25, p < 0.001). Participants who ate breakfast for both days (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.36–1.46, p < 0.001) and one day (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08–1.17, p < 0.001) were more likely to experience improved self-rated health compared to never eating breakfast at weekends. Five or more days for fruit and vegetable consumption resulted in better self-rated health (all p < 0.001). Similar results were found in terms of the associations of breakfast, fruit, and vegetable consumption with life satisfaction. For example, a higher frequency of fruit intake was associated with enhanced self-rated health (e.g., OR for more than once daily = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.34–1.51, p < 0.001) compared to no fruit consumption. Similarly, a higher-frequency vegetable intake, such as more than once daily (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.26–1.39, p < 0.001), was associated with improved self-rated health. Conclusions: Healthy eating habits, especially regular breakfast and a higher consumption of vegetables and fruit, are associated with better self-rated health and life satisfaction in school-aged children. Of note, the consumption of fruit would have the greatest impact on health and wellbeing outcomes. This study offers evidence that healthy eating habits can play a vital role in school-aged children’s health and wellbeing, highlighting the practical significance of educating adolescents to develop healthy eating habits.

Summary: Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth largest food crop in the world. Late blight, caused by oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is the most devastating disease threatening potato production. Previous research has shown that StRFP1, a potato Arabidopsis Tóxicos en Levadura (ATL) family protein, positively regulates late blight resistance via its E3 ligase activity. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown.Here, we reveal that StRFP1 is associated with the plasma membrane (PM) and undergoes constitutive endocytic trafficking. Its PM localization is essential for inhibiting P. infestans colonization. Through in vivo and in vitro assays, we investigated that StRFP1 interacts with two sugar transporters StSWEET10c and StSWEET11 at the PM.Overexpression (OE) of StSWEET10c or StSWEET11 enhances P. infestans colonization. Both StSWEET10c and StSWEET11 exhibit sucrose transport ability in yeast, and OE of StSWEET10c leads to an increased sucrose content in the apoplastic fluid of potato leaves. StRFP1 ubiquitinates StSWEET10c and StSWEET11 to promote their degradation.We illustrate a novel mechanism by which a potato ATL protein enhances disease resistance by degrading susceptibility (S) factors, such as Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs). This offers a potential strategy for improving disease resistance by utilizing host positive immune regulators to neutralize S factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugars will be eventually effluxed transporters (SWEETs) have been confirmed to play diverse physiological roles in plant growth, development and stress response. However, the characteristics and functions of the SWEET genes in Hemerocallis citrina remain unclear and poorly elucidated. In this study, the whole genome of Hemerocallis citrina was utilized to conduct bioinformatics analysis and a total of 19 HcSWEET genes were successfully identified. Analysis of the physicochemical properties indicated dominant differences among these HcSWEETs. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that HcSWEET proteins can be divided into 4 clades ranging from Clade I to IV, where proteins within the same clade exhibited shared conserved motifs and gene structures. Five to six exons were contained in the majority of HcSWEET genes, which were unevenly distributed across 11 chromosomes. The gene duplication analysis showed the presence of 4 gene pairs. Comparative syntenic maps revealed that the HcSWEET gene family might present more closed homology in monocotyledons than dicotyledons. Cis-acting element analysis of HcSWEET genes indicated key responsiveness to various hormones, light, and stresses. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing analysis suggested that most HcSWEET genes had a relatively higher expression in roots, and HcSWEET4a was significantly up-regulated under salt stress. Overexpression further verified the possibility that HcSWEET4a was involved in response to salt stress, which provides novel insights and facilitates in-depth studies of the functional analysis of HcSWEETs in resistance to abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orchids produce millions of dust-like and reserveless tiny seeds per capsule and are unable to germinate on their own in nature. Orchid seeds have developed strategies to exploit seed germination-promoting orchid mycorrhizal fungi (sgOMFs) for acquisition of exogenous nutrients to fuel germination. Once colonized by sgOMFs, orchid seeds can digest intracellular sgOMF hyphae to acquire fungal nutrients, especially those for carbon nutrition. However, the underlying carbon delivery pathway from sgOMFs to orchid cells remains elusive. Clarification of the identities of fungally derived carbohydrates and the main molecular players responsible for the sgOMF-to-orchid carbon flow is of great significance for better understanding of symbiotic germination. To germinate in nature, orchid seeds strictly rely on seed germination-promoting orchid mycorrhizal fungi (sgOMFs) for provision of carbon nutrients. The underlying delivery pathway, however, remains elusive. We develop here a plausible model for sugar transport from sgOMFs to orchid embryonic cells to fuel germination. Orchids exploit sgOMFs to induce the formation of pelotons, elaborate intracellular hyphal coils in orchid embryos. The colonized orchid cells then obtain carbon nutrients by uptake from living hyphae and peloton lysis, primarily as glucose derived from fungal trehalose hydrolyzed by orchid-specific trehalases. The uptake of massive fungally derived glucose is likely to be mediated by two classes of membrane proteins, namely, sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs) and H+-hexose symporters. The proposed model serves as a launch pad for further research to better understand and improve orchid seed germination and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the associations of eating habits with self-rated health and life satisfaction in adolescents using a multiple-country sample. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) 2013/2014 wave was used in this study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data on independent variables including breakfast on weekdays, breakfast at weekends, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and soft dirks. Outcomes included self-rated health and life satisfaction. Regression models were used to assess the associations between the independent variables and the two outcomes, separately, after controlling for covariates. Results were presented using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Of all the study participants (aged 11–15 years), 50.8% were girls. Compared with no consumption of breakfast on weekdays, eating breakfast for five days had 1.22 times greater likelihood for improved self-rated health (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.19–1.25, p < 0.001). Participants who ate breakfast for both days (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.36–1.46, p < 0.001) and one day (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.08–1.17, p < 0.001) were more likely to experience improved self-rated health compared to never eating breakfast at weekends. Five or more days for fruit and vegetable consumption resulted in better self-rated health (all p < 0.001). Similar results were found in terms of the associations of breakfast, fruit, and vegetable consumption with life satisfaction. For example, a higher frequency of fruit intake was associated with enhanced self-rated health (e.g., OR for more than once daily = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.34–1.51, p < 0.001) compared to no fruit consumption. Similarly, a higher-frequency vegetable intake, such as more than once daily (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.26–1.39, p < 0.001), was associated with improved self-rated health. Conclusions: Healthy eating habits, especially regular breakfast and a higher consumption of vegetables and fruit, are associated with better self-rated health and life satisfaction in school-aged children. Of note, the consumption of fruit would have the greatest impact on health and wellbeing outcomes. This study offers evidence that healthy eating habits can play a vital role in school-aged children's health and wellbeing, highlighting the practical significance of educating adolescents to develop healthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Seaweeds contain a high amount of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), natural pigments, macro and micro nutrient compounds. Microalgae Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a species with high nutritional value. About 60% to 70% of the dry weight (Spirulina platensis) is protein, which has all the essential amino acids. This is a cyanobacterial microalga that is cultivated all over the world and used as a supplement in the human diet in the form of tablets, powder and cookies, bread, salad and soup. Several studies have been conducted in the field of investigating the effect of microalgae addition in food products. The purpose of the current research was to investigate the effect of this microalgae powder on sensory, physical, protein and iron properties of three different products of bulk bread, cake and layered sweets with different formulations. Materials and Methods Spirulina microalgae dry powder in 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1% and 1.25% was added to the formula of three products: bulk bread, layered pastry, and cake. From each product, a sample without microalgae powder was also prepared and considered as a control. The treatments were evaluated in terms of sensory, color, texture, protein and iron content. Sensory evaluation was carried out by 30 panelists using 7 hedonic points to evaluate the color, flavor, texture, smell and overall acceptance. The color of the surface of the samples was done with a Minolta Chroma Meter (CR-300 Minolta Japan). The results calculated based on L* (whiteness/darkness), a*(redness/greenness) and b*(blueness/yellowness). Hardness of samples was measured with Texture Analyzer TA-XT2 (Stable Micro Systems, Surrey, England) and P/0.5 cylindrical probe (12.5 mm diameter) with 30 kg load cell. Protein of the samples was measured by Kjeldahl method and the amount of iron was measured according to the standard method of AOAC 999.11. All analyses were performed in three repetitions and one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test were used to compare the means. Results and Discussion The results showed that the behavior of spirulina microalgae in changing the characteristics of the three products is different, and this difference is especially significant in sensory characteristics. The addition of spirulina microalgae increased the amount of protein and iron in different treatments. This increase for protein in bread, cake and sweets was about 1, 0.6 and 1.2 percent, respectively. Also, the amount of iron in treatments containing microalgae in bread, cake, and layered sweets was 4, 5, and 3 mg/kg, respectively. Spirulina microalgae is basically known as an aquatic plant with high protein and iron. The microalgae used in this research contained a high amount of protein (67.97%) and 29.5 mg/100 grams of iron, so adding this microalga to the samples increased the amount of protein and iron. Sensory evaluation of the samples showed that all three products had an acceptable acceptance score. However, in comparison among the three products of bread, cake and layered sweets, bread had a lower score than the other two products. The instrumental analysis of L*, a*, b* color indices showed that the increase of spirulina caused green color in the treatments and this color change is more significant in the bread sample. Also, the results of texture analysis showed that the addition of spirulina reduces the hardness of samples containing spirulina. It can be concluded that spirulina microalgae can be used to improve texture, color, and also increase the amount of protein and iron in products.

Background: Poor dietary patterns pose a significant health challenge for children, hindering their ideal growth and development. Objective: We explored the adherence of secondary and high schoolchildren to healthy dietary guidelines in the Kurdistan Region. Subjects and Methods: We included a random sample of 554 students (13–18 years) from the available high schools in Duhok City in 2022. Results: Generally, students had a low level of healthy diet, which was not significantly influenced by sociodemographic and diet-related characteristics. A notable number of students skipped breakfast (32.31%). A majority of students consumed fruits 1–6 times/day (40.97%), whereas their vegetable intake was predominantly <1 serving/day (39.71%) or 1–2 servings/day (31.41%). The consumption of fish and seafood was relatively low among the students, with only 1–2 servings/week (36.28%). The students had a high rate of consuming sweets and soft drinks, with 1–2 servings/week being prevalent (25.99% for sweets and 36.10% for soft drinks). Media watching duration was notably high, with 1–2 h/day (23.10%) and over 4 h/day (35.38%). Only 19.86% of the students engaged in mild-to-moderate physical activity. The consumption of dairy products, both milk and dairy alternatives, was at 1–2 servings/day, with more than half opting for low- or no-fat options (25.09%). A considerable percentage of students consumed meat and meat products at varying frequencies. Close to half of the students consumed 3–7 servings of total grains/day and >50 whole grains. Conclusions: Schoolchildren have a low adherence to healthy dietary guidelines in Kurdistan Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailored nutrition counseling enhances the efficacy of routine treatment for substance (alcohol/drugs) use disorders (SUDs). For this purpose, it is important to understand the current nutritional status of addicts and the changes in their nutritional status during the treatment process. Furthermore, the consumption of sweets to manage substance cravings is common among people with SUDs, but the evidence for the effectiveness of this practice is limited and conflicting. We therefore hypothesized SUD treatment would be associated with increases in appetite, nutrient intake, and anthropometric measurements in addicts, and that these changes, including changes in sweet consumption, would not be associated with decreased substance craving. Data for this prospective observational study were collected from 38 adult male patients who completed 21 days of inpatient SUD treatment. During the treatment, the participants' levels of appetite (P < 1.0 × 10−4), the frequency of main meals (P < 1.0 × 10−4), intake of macro- and micronutrients (P <.05 for each), and anthropometric measurements (P ≤ 5.9 × 10−4), significantly increased. Furthermore, it was found that the patients had a significant increase in sweets craving (P < 1.0 × 10−4) and sweets consumption (P = 1.2 × 10−3) during treatment. However, there was no significant difference between the individuals whose craving decreased and those whose craving did not decrease at the end of the treatment (P >.05 for both). The findings suggest the need to offer dietary counseling to individuals undergoing inpatient SUD treatment, given the substantial changes in nutritional status, and that increased consumption of sweets is not an effective strategy to reduce substance craving. Individuals undergoing treatment for substance use disorder experienced a significant decrease in cravings for substances. However, they also reported an increase in cravings for and consumption of substitute psychostimulants, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and sweets. This shift was accompanied by an increase in appetite and anthropometric measurements. Therefore, personalized dietary counseling is a crucial component for individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders, given these changes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecules that facilitate targeted protein degradation (TPD) offer great promise as novel therapeutics. The human hepatic lectin asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGR) is selectively expressed on hepatocytes. We have previously engineered an anti-ASGR1 antibody-mutant RSPO2 (RSPO2RA) fusion protein (called SWEETS) to drive tissue-specific degradation of ZNRF3/RNF43 E3 ubiquitin ligases, which achieved hepatocyte-specific enhanced Wnt signaling, proliferation, and restored liver function in mouse models, and an antibody–RSPO2RA fusion molecule is currently in human clinical trials. In the current study, we identified two new ASGR1- and ASGR1/2-specific antibodies, 8M24 and 8G8. High-resolution crystal structures of ASGR1:8M24 and ASGR2:8G8 complexes revealed that these antibodies bind to distinct epitopes on opposing sides of ASGR, away from the substrate-binding site. Both antibodies enhanced Wnt activity when assembled as SWEETS molecules with RSPO2RA through specific effects sequestering E3 ligases. In addition, 8M24-RSPO2RA and 8G8-RSPO2RA efficiently downregulate ASGR1 through TPD mechanisms. These results demonstrate the possibility of combining different therapeutic effects and degradation mechanisms in a single molecule.

The work is devoted to the analysis of Bosnian phraseological units with orientalism – the name of a sweet dish. The purpose of the article is to show the phraseological potential of borrowings-orientalisms naming sweets in the phraseology corpus of Bosnian Muslims. The relevance of the work is due to the need for a comprehensive study of phraseological units to identify common and idioethnic. The role of orientalisms in creating the imagery of phrasemes is shown in terms of ethnolinguoculturology. The material of the study is non-comparative phrasemes existing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods of material processing: component analysis; linguoculturological analysis; structural and semantic modeling; comparative and synchronous descriptive. Structural and semantic models illustrate the interlanguage commonality of motivational ideas and at the same time specific, revealed at the level of imagery of phraseology. The research material shows a different phraseological potential of the names of sweet confectionery products of oriental origin. Arabisms and Persiisms as part of phraseological units are «indirect» borrowing: they entered of the inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina through Turkish; they, like Ottomans, are more frequent in Bosnian phrasemes due to various historical and relevant reasons today. Some of the analyzed phrases are recorded by lexicographic sources and in other regions of Southern Slavia, but the activity of their use in live colloquial speech is typical precisely for the language of the inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have the so-called Bosnian Turkish.

Introduction: Rhizoctonia solani, the causative agent of the sheath blight disease (ShB), invades rice to obtain nutrients, especially sugars; however, the molecular mechanism via which R. solani hijacks sugars from rice remains unclear. Objectives: In this study, rice-R. solani interaction model was used to explore whether pathogen effector proteins affect plant sugar absorption during infection. Methods: Yeast one-hybrid assay was used to identify Activator of SWEET2a (AOS2) from R. solani. Localization and invertase secretion assays showed that nuclear localization and secreted function of AOS2. Hexose transport assays verified the hexose transporter activity of SWEET2a and SWEET3a. Yeast two-hybrid assays, Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and transactivation assay were conducted to verify the AOS2-WRKY53-Grassy tiller 1 (GT1) transcriptional complex and its activation of SWEET2a and SWEET3a. Genetic analysis is used to detect the response of GT1, WRKY53, SWEET2a, and SWEET3a to ShB infestation. Also, the soluble sugar contents were measured in the mutants and overexpression plants before and after the inoculation of R. solani. Results: The present study found that R. solani protein AOS2 activates rice SWEET2a and localized in the nucleus of tobacco cells and secreted in yeast. AOS2 interacts with rice transcription factor WRKY53 and GT1 to form a complex that activates the hexose transporter gene SWEET2a and SWEET3a and negatively regulate rice resistance to ShB. Conclusion: These data collectively suggest that AOS2 secreted by R. solani interacts with rice WRKY53 and GT1 to form a transcriptional complex that activates SWEETs to efflux sugars to apoplast; R. solani acquires more sugars and subsequently accelerates host invasion.

Sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs) are recently discovered bidirectional uniporters that play a significant role in various physiological and developmental processes in plants including pollen nutrition, nectar secretion, seed filling, and combating abiotic stresses. SWEETs are also responsible for pathogen susceptibility in many plants. Although the structure and evolutionary relationships of various SWEETs have been revealed, insights into the regulatory mechanisms of SWEET expression remain the basis for developing improved varieties of crops. This review discusses many relevant updates on SWEET research in plants. We also examine how transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools derive pathogen-resistant plants for crop improvement.

Sweet sorghum has emerged as a promising source of bioenergy mainly due to its high biomass and high soluble sugar yield in stems. Studies have shown that loss-offunction Dry locus alleles have been selected during sweet sorghum domestication, and decapitation can further boost sugar accumulation in sweet sorghum, indicating that the potential for improving sugar yields is yet to be fully realized. To maximize sugar accumulation, it is essential to gain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the massive accumulation of soluble sugars in sweet sorghum stems in addition to the Dry locus. We performed a transcriptomic analysis upon decapitation of near-isogenic lines for mutant (d, juicy stems, and green leaf midrib) and functional (D, dry stems and white leaf midrib) alleles at the Dry locus. Our analysis revealed that decapitation suppressed photosynthesis in leaves, but accelerated starch metabolic processes in stems. SbbHLH093 negatively correlates with sugar levels supported by genotypes (DD vs. dd), treatments (control vs. decapitation), and developmental stages post anthesis (3d vs.10d). D locus gene SbNAC074A and other programmed cell death-related genes were downregulated by decapitation, while sugar transporter-encoding gene SbSWEET1A was induced. Both SbSWEET1A and Invertase 5 were detected in phloem companion cells by RNA in situ assay. Loss of the SbbHLH093 homolog, AtbHLH093, in Arabidopsis led to a sugar accumulation increase. This study provides new insights into sugar accumulation enhancement in bioenergy crops, which can be potentially achieved by reducing reproductive sink strength and enhancing phloem unloading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs) are plant transporters involved in the efflux of sugars to the apoplast from high to low concentrations. Owing to their function, they have an important implication in plant–microbe interactions. Plants regulate their key sugar transporters during such interactions, as has been identified in several pathogenic and symbiotic interactions. However, it is still unclear whether plant SWEETs are involved in endophytic interactions with fungi such as Serendipita indica. This study identified SWEET genes in the leguminous crop Cicerarietinum (chickpea). We analyzed their gene structure, motif composition, chromosomal localization, and phylogenetic relationship with Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Medicago truncatula. The expression of the CaSWEET genes was identified in C. arietinum roots colonized by S. indica. We found that the genes CaSWEET1b, CaSWEET2b, and CaSWEET4 were upregulated, whereas CaSWEET1a, CaSWEET12, CaSWEET15c, and CaSWEET16 were downregulated. Though the SWEETs transport sugar to the fungal mycelia, some SWEET genes were downregulated. This intrigued us to inspect whether during C. arietinum-S. indica interaction, some miRNAs were synthesized by the plant that plays a role in the downregulation of the SWEET genes. We first identified the miRNAs from C. arietinum-S. indica interaction targeting CaSWEET genes. The identified miRNAs were validated using stem-loop RT-qPCR. One of the miRNAs, miR156, showed significantly higher expression and was identified to target the CaSWEET12 gene. The CaSWEET12 transporter was expressed in most of the C. arietinum tissues, but its expression was reduced during interaction with S. indica. This indicated that the plant regulates its sugar transport to S. indica by downregulating selective transporters to restrict its excessive growth on the plant. This study has thus provided insight into the miRNA-mediated regulation of plant SWEET genes in the case of C. arietinum-S. indica symbiosis, which can be used in future for functional validation and will benefit crop improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sugars produced by photosynthesis provide energy for biological activities and the skeletons for macromolecules; they also perform multiple physiological functions in plants. Sugar transport across plasma membranes mediated by the Sugar Will Eventually be Exported Transporter (SWEET) genes substantially affects these processes. However, the evolutionary dynamics and function of the SWEET genes are largely unknown in radish, an important Brassicaceae species. Methods and results: Genome-wide identification and analysis of the RsSWEET genes from the recently updated radish reference genome was conducted using bioinformatics methods. The tissue-specific expression was analyzed using public RNA-seq data, and the expression levels in the bud, stamens, pistils, pericarps and seeds at 15 and 30 days after flowering (DAF) were determined by RT‒qPCR. Thirty-seven RsSWEET genes were identified and named according to their Arabidopsis homologous. They are unevenly distributed across the nine radish chromosomes and were further divided into four clades by phylogenetic analysis. There are 5–7 transmembrane domains and at least one MtN3_slv domain in the RsSWEETs. RNA-seq and RT‒qPCR revealed that the RsSWEETs exhibit higher expression levels in the reproductive organs, indicating that these genes might play vital roles in reproductive organ development. RsSWEET15.1 was found to be especially expressed in siliques according to the RNA-seq data, and the RT‒qPCR results further confirmed that it was most highly expressed levels in the seeds at 30 DAF, followed by the pericarp at 15 DAF, indicating that it is involved in seed growth and development. Conclusions: This study suggests that the RsSWEET genes play vital roles in reproductive organ development and provides a theoretical basis for the future functional analysis of RsSWEETs in radish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEET) family of transporters in plants is identified as a novel class of sugar carriers capable of transporting sugars, sugar alcohols and hormones. Functioning in intercellular sugar transport, SWEETs influence a wide range of physiologically important processes. SWEETs regulate the development of sink organs by providing nutritional support from source leaves, responses to abiotic stresses by maintaining intracellular sugar concentrations, and host–pathogen interactions through the modulation of apoplastic sugar levels. Many bacterial and fungal pathogens activate the expression of SWEET genes in species such as rice and Arabidopsis to gain access to the nutrients that support virulence. The genetic manipulation of SWEETs has led to the generation of bacterial blight (BB)‐resistant rice varieties. Similarly, while the overexpression of the SWEETs involved in sucrose export from leaves and pathogenesis led to growth retardation and yield penalties, plants overexpressing SWEETs show improved disease resistance. Such findings demonstrate the complex functions of SWEETs in growth and stress tolerance. Here, we review the importance of SWEETs in plant–pathogen and source–sink interactions and abiotic stress resistance. We highlight the possible applications of SWEETs in crop improvement programmes aimed at improving sink and source strengths important for enhancing the sustainability of yield. We discuss how the adverse effects of the overexpression of SWEETs on plant growth may be overcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Heterotroph pathogen R. solani hyphal growth is enhanced by high sugar concentrations. • AOS2 secreted by R. solani, GT1 and WRKY53 form the transcriptional complex to activate SWEETs and excrete hexose significantly. • Hexose transporter gene SWEET2a and SWEET3a negatively regulate rice resistance to ShB. Rhizoctonia solani , the causative agent of the sheath blight disease (ShB), invades rice to obtain nutrients, especially sugars; however, the molecular mechanism via which R. solani hijacks sugars from rice remains unclear. In this study, rice- R. solani interaction model was used to explore whether pathogen effector proteins affect plant sugar absorption during infection. Yeast one-hybrid assay was used to identify Activator of SWEET2a (AOS2) from R. solani. Localization and invertase secretion assays showed that nuclear localization and secreted function of AOS2. Hexose transport assays verified the hexose transporter activity of SWEET2a and SWEET3a. Yeast two-hybrid assays, Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and transactivation assay were conducted to verify the AOS2-WRKY53-Grassy tiller 1 (GT1) transcriptional complex and its activation of SWEET2a and SWEET3a. Genetic analysis is used to detect the response of GT1 , WRKY53 , SWEET2a , and SWEET3a to ShB infestation. Also, the soluble sugar contents were measured in the mutants and overexpression plants before and after the inoculation of R. solani. The present study found that R. solani protein AOS2 activates rice SWEET2a and localized in the nucleus of tobacco cells and secreted in yeast. AOS2 interacts with rice transcription factor WRKY53 and GT1 to form a complex that activates the hexose transporter gene SWEET2a and SWEET3a and negatively regulate rice resistance to ShB. These data collectively suggest that AOS2 secreted by R. solani interacts with rice WRKY53 and GT1 to form a transcriptional complex that activates SWEETs to efflux sugars to apoplast; R. solani acquires more sugars and subsequently accelerates host invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar transport from the source leaf to the sink organ is critical for seed development and crop yield, as well as for responding to abiotic stress. SWEETs (sugar will eventually be exported transporters) mediate sugar efflux into the reproductive sink and are therefore considered key candidate proteins for sugar unloading during seed development. However, the specific mechanism underlying the sugar unloading to seeds in Camellia oleifera remains elusive. Here, we identified a SWEET gene named CoSWEET10, which belongs to Clade III and has high expression levels in the seeds of C. oleifera. CoSWEET10 is a plasma membrane-localized protein. The complementation assay of CoSWEET10 in SUSY7/ura3 and EBY.VW4000 yeast strains showed that CoSWEET10 has the ability to transport sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Through the C. oleifera seeds in vitro culture, we found that the expression of CoSWEET10 can be induced by hexose and sucrose, and especially glucose. By generating the restoration lines of CoSWEET10 in Arabidopsis atsweet10, we found that CoSWEET10 restored the seed defect phenotype of the mutant by regulating soluble sugar accumulation and increased plant drought tolerance. Collectively, our study demonstrates that CoSWEET10 plays a dual role in promoting seed development and enhancing plant drought resistance as a sucrose and hexose transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeDietary and psychological status contributes to the development of coronary artery disease. However, these lifestyle factors may vary depending on ethnic and environmental background, and secondary prevention programs dealing with these factors in a specific population are not well-established. We aimed to assess dietary and psychological characteristics in Korean patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and analyze their interactions as independent risk factors for ACS.MethodsNinety-two patients with ACS (29 acute myocardial infarction and 63 unstable angina) and 69 controls were subjected to dietary and psychological analyses. Dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Psychological depression and perceived stress were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Perceived Stress Scale, respectively. Eight domains of life satisfaction (marital/love relationship, leisure, standard of living, job, health, family life, sex life, and self) were assessed using the Domain Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ).ResultsThe ACS group had a higher consumption of sweets and fish/seafood, as well as higher levels of depressive symptoms. Additionally, they had lower DSQ scores in total, and all eight individual domains compared with the control group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, sweet intake (OR 4.57, 95% CI: 1.94–11.40) and total DSQ scores (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14–0.81) were identified as independent risk factors for ACS. Furthermore, these factors, which displayed a significant inverse correlation (ρ = −0.23, p = 0.01), were determined as having a synergistic contribution to the development of ACS.ConclusionHigh sweet food intake and low life satisfaction can act as risk factors for ACS through a synergistic interaction, which emphasizes a demand for a more comprehensive approach to secondary prevention of ACS. In addition, these data highlight the role of positive psychological wellbeing factors in cardiovascular health.

BackgroundAlcohol craving, or the desire to drink alcohol, has been identified as a key experience preceding alcohol use. Alcoholics Anonymous has long claimed that individuals can allay alcohol cravings by eating sweets. Empirical tests of this strategy are limited to a few preclinical studies in rats, and there is no existing experiment testing the acute effect of eating sweets on alcohol cravings in humans.PurposeThe current study sought to experimentally test the acute effect of eating sweets on alcohol cravings in a sample with at-risk drinking.MethodsAfter being exposed to an alcohol cue, individuals with at-risk drinking (N = 150) were randomly assigned to eat sweets (n = 60), eat calorie-equivalent bland food (n = 60), or watch a video (n = 30). Caloric amounts were manipulated. Individuals with at-risk drinking were then exposed to a second alcohol cue. Changes in alcohol cravings from after the first to after the second alcohol cue were measured via visual analog scale and heart rate.ResultsThere were no significant between-group differences in changes in alcohol cravings. Caloric amounts did not modify effects.ConclusionsExperimental findings did not provide evidence to support the clinical lore that eating sweets can reduce alcohol cravings, albeit only acutely and for those with at-risk drinking. Other empirically supported strategies for managing alcohol cravings (e.g., pharmacotherapies, mindfulness) could instead be promoted.

As a starchy and edible tropical plant, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has been widely used as an industrial raw material and a dietary source. However, the metabolomic and genetic differences in specific germplasms of cassava storage root were unclear. In this study, two specific germplasms, M. esculenta Crantz cv. sugar cassava GPMS0991L and M. esculenta Crantz cv. pink cassava BRA117315, were used as research materials. Results showed that sugar cassava GPMS0991L was rich in glucose and fructose, whereas pink cassava BRA117315 was rich in starch and sucrose. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis indicated that sucrose and starch metabolism had significantly changing metabolites enrichment and the highest degree of differential expression genes, respectively. Sugar transport in storage roots may contribute to the activities of sugar, which will eventually be exported to transporters (SWEETs), such as (MeSWEET1a, MeSWEET2b, MeSWEET4, MeSWEET5, MeSWEET10b, and MeSWEET17c), which transport hexose to plant cells. The expression level of genes involved in starch biosynthesis and metabolism were altered, which may result in starch accumulation. These results provide a theoretical basis for sugar transport and starch accumulation and may be useful in improving the quality of tuberous crops and increasing yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The etiopathogenesis of acne is complex, as several endo- and exogenous factors that affect the sebaceous-hair unit are involved in the development of acne lesions. The main aim of the study was to evaluate selected metabolic parameters before treatment. Another goal of the study was to determine the correlation between selected metabolic and dietary parameters and the severity of acne before treatment. The third objective was to assess the severity of acne before and after treatment, considering the type of treatment used. The final objective was to assess the relationship between the difference in acne severity before and after treatment, considering the type of treatment used and factors of dairy or sweets intake. 168 women participated in the study. The patients belonged to two groups: the study group (99 patients with acne vulgaris) and the control group (69 patients without skin lesions). The study group was divided into subgroups according to the treatment used: contraceptive preparation, contraceptive preparation and cyproterone acetate, and contraceptive preparation and isotretinoin preparation. We found that LDL levels and consumption of sweets correlated with acne severity. The mainstay of acne treatment is contraceptive treatment (ethinylestradiol and drospirenone). The effectiveness of the three contraceptive-based treatments was confirmed by observing the severity of acne. There were no significant correlations between the difference in acne severity before and after treatment with the three treatments and factors of dairy or sweet consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Wood is recognized as the primary storage tissue in trees. During the process of wood formation, the xylem actively assimilates carbon from photosynthetic tissues to satisfy its developmental requirements. The photosynthetic product, sucrose, provides precursors and energy for cell wall synthesis, and its transportation significantly impacts the yield and quality of wood. The radial transport is a critical step in the accumulation of photosynthetic products to xylem, yet research on the involved sugar transporters and their roles remains limited. In the present study, PagSWEET17a , a sugar transporter gene with pronounced expression in the xylem, was examined for its expression pattern, substrate specificity, subcellular localization, and the consequential effects on wood formation. The present findings revealed that PagSWEET17a exhibited specificity for sucrose transport, and has triple subcellular localizations, including the plasma membrane, tonoplast, and endoplasmic reticulum membrane. PagSWEET17a expressed in the phloem cells of the stem, as well as in the developing xylem vessels and fiber cells, suggesting its potential involvement in various steps of radial transport. By mediating the accumulation of carbon in the xylem, PagSWEET17a influenced the width of the xylem, as well as the thickness and composition of the secondary cell walls in xylem cells. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying wood formation and highlight the importance of sugar transporters in this process. • PagSWEET17a is expressed in phloem cells and developing xylem cells. • PagSWEET17a mediates sucrose radial transport in xylem. • Mutation of PagSWEET17a leads to a reduction in the xylem area. • PagSWEET17a influences the thickness and composition of the secondary cell walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption of healthy dietary and snacking habits could support optimum physical and mental development in children as they define health in adulthood. This study assessed parameters associated with children's snacking such as food home availability, parenting practices, and parents' health beliefs. In this cross-sectional study 12 039 children, 49·4% boys 5–12 years, participating in the European Feel4Diabetes-Study were included. Children's weekly consumption of sweets and salty snacks, home availability of snacks, food parenting practices, and health beliefs were assessed via questionnaires. Logistic regression was applied to explore associations of a) home availability of snacks, b) food parenting practices (permissiveness and rewarding with snacks) and c) parent's opinions on deterministic health beliefs with children's consumption of sweets and salty snacks. Results showed that home availability (sweets: ORadj: 4·76, 95 % CI: 4·32, 5·23; salty snacks: ORadj: 6·56, 95 % CI: 5·64, 7·61), allowing to consume (sweets: ORadj: 3·29, 95 % CI: 2·95, 3·67; salty snacks: ORadj: 3·41, 95 % CI: 2·98, 3·90) and rewarding with sweets/salty snacks (sweets: ORadj: 2·69, 95 % CI: 2·23, 3·24; salty snacks: ORadj: 4·34, 95 % CI: 3·57, 5·28) 'sometimes/or less frequently' compared to 'always/or often' were associated with lower weekly consumption of sweets and snacks. Parents' disagreement compared to agreement with deterministic health beliefs and inattentive eating were associated with lower consumption of salty snacks and sweets in children. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that attempts to promote healthy snacking habits in children should aim to improve parental dietary habits, food parenting practices, health beliefs, and reducing home availability of unhealthy foods and snacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a commentary on the Chapter 13 of Lumen apothecariorum, written in 1492 by Quirico de Augustis, a Piedmontese physician and apothecary, who lived at the turn of the 16th century. This chapter was published in Zeszyty Naukowe Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego. Prace Historyczne, vol. 149 (2022), no. 2. At the beginning, the author analyses the content of this chapter, entitled De artificio zuchari (On sugar craft), and characterises the typology of 31 recipes for sweets. Next, he presents the ingredients of sweets manufactured on the basis of these recipes, methods recommended for sugar processing, and the tools used for this purpose. In the next section the author focuses on probable sources of Quirico de Augustis' inspiration and the impact of his recipes for sweets on other collections of recipes in the 16th century. The final section is devoted to the discussion of the importance of this source in the studies on the early Renaissance Italian and European confectionery. The author emphasises the fact that the first person to specifically address the area of confectionery production and to collect the recipes for different types of sweets in a separate chapter was Quirico de Augustis (in his work entitled Lumen apothecariorum) and not Paulo Suardo (in his work entitled Thesaurus apothecariorum, published in Milan in 1496). Thanks to its numerous editions, translations and citations, Chapter 13 of Quirico de Augustis' Lumen apothecariorum exerted a great impact on the European confectionery in modern times. The evidence of this impact can be noticed in the fact that all 31 recipes from the chapter De artificio zuchari were included in the Polish version Sekrety Aleksego Pedemontana (The Secrets of the Reverend Maister Alexis of Piedmont), published by Marcin Siennik in Cracow in 1568. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated the association between various food groups and obesity in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: 2070 patients with type 2 diabetes who attended 26 diabetes clinics throughout Japan were analyzed and were divided into obese and non-obese groups. Intakes of food groups determined by a food frequency questionnaire were compared. Odds ratios for obesity for quartiles of individual food groups were calculated using a logistic regression model. Results: Non-obese patients consumed a larger variety of food groups than obese patients, with the diets of non-obese individuals closer to the traditional Japanese diet characterized by fish, seaweed, and soybeans/soy products. Among 21 food groups, low vegetable intake and high sweets intake were the most strongly associated with obesity in both men and women. Low intake of both fruits and vegetables and the combination of high intake of sweets and low intake of fruits were associated with obesity. Conclusions: Food groups and their combinations that were strongly associated with obesity in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes were identified. Our findings also suggested an inverse association between the traditional Japanese diet and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar transport from the source leaf to the sink organ is critical for seed development and crop yield, as well as for responding to abiotic stress. SWEETs (sugar will eventually be exported transporters) mediate sugar efflux into the reproductive sink and are therefore considered key candidate proteins for sugar unloading during seed development. However, the specific mechanism underlying the sugar unloading to seeds in Camellia oleifera remains elusive. Here, we identified a SWEET gene named CoSWEET10, which belongs to Clade III and has high expression levels in the seeds of C. oleifera. CoSWEET10 is a plasma membrane-localized protein. The complementation assay of CoSWEET10 in SUSY7/ura3 and EBY.VW4000 yeast strains showed that CoSWEET10 has the ability to transport sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Through the C. oleifera seeds in vitro culture, we found that the expression of CoSWEET10 can be induced by hexose and sucrose, and especially glucose. By generating the restoration lines of CoSWEET10 in Arabidopsis atsweet10, we found that CoSWEET10 restored the seed defect phenotype of the mutant by regulating soluble sugar accumulation and increased plant drought tolerance. Collectively, our study demonstrates that CoSWEET10 plays a dual role in promoting seed development and enhancing plant drought resistance as a sucrose and hexose transporter.

Sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs) are recently discovered bidirectional uniporters that play a significant role in various physiological and developmental processes in plants including pollen nutrition, nectar secretion, seed filling, and combating abiotic stresses. SWEETs are also responsible for pathogen susceptibility in many plants. Although the structure and evolutionary relationships of various SWEETs have been revealed, insights into the regulatory mechanisms of SWEET expression remain the basis for developing improved varieties of crops. This review discusses many relevant updates on SWEET research in plants. We also examine how transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools derive pathogen-resistant plants for crop improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although emotional eating is associated with obesity in women, psychological correlates of their treatment-based weight-reduction behaviors are unclear. Aim: To test new model-based propositions of effects of mood on self-regulating physical activity and eating to inform interventions. Methods: Women in community-based obesity treatments with emphases on either self-regulation (n = 56) or weight-management education (n = 54) were assessed on psychological and behavioral variables over 12 months. Results: Emotional eating scores were significantly higher than general samples. Overall significant improvements were found in physical activity- and eating-related self-regulation, mood, physical activity, and sweets consumption. Improvements were more pronounced in the self-regulation-emphasis group. Mood significantly moderated self-regulation-behavior change relationships. Increased physical activity predicted improved mood. Discussion: Findings (a) suggested propensities for emotional eating in women with obesity seeking behavioral treatment, (b) clarified treatment effects and the effect of mood in the self-regulation of physical activity and eating behaviors, and (c) supported model-based treatment targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been linked to "unhealthy" food consumption, but the studies in this area are insufficient. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between ADHD/related symptoms and processed meat products and snack consumption. METHODS: This study was conducted on 390 children aged between 6 and 17 with 169 ADHD (38 Girls, 131 Boys) and 221 healthy controls (93 Girls, 128 Boys). Food consumption was evaluated by a modified food frequency questionnaire, including 18 food containing processed meat products and snacks. ADHD symptoms were evaluated by the teacher and parent Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavioral Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-Scale) and Conners' Rating Scale (CPRS, CTRS). RESULTS: Children with ADHD consumed more processed meat products, milk-based desserts, and chocolate-sweets than controls (p<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the ADHD symptom scores and the consumption amount of all snacks, the amount of chocolate-sweets consumption, the frequency of consumption of sujuk, chocolate, jelly beans, sweets, cakes, and chocolate spread (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD consume more foods rich in saturated fat and sugar than their healthy peers. Processed food consumption of children with ADHD may be associated with ADHD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a better understanding of old confectionery it is necessary to turn to pharmaceutical sources. The book by the Piedmontese physician and apothecary Quirico de Augustis entitled Lumen apothecariorum, published in Turin in 1492, is one example of this kind of work. It was printed many times at the turn of the 16th century, and in later centuries it became one of the basic sources of apothecaries' knowledge in the area of manufacturing both medicines and sweets. The Polish translation includes the 13th chapter taken from the aforementioned work, titled "De artificio zuchari." The 24 recipes include instructions for preparing different types of candies, candied fruit, jam, marzipan, and jelly. The author also listed seven detailed instructions on how to colour sugar to various hues and how to mould sugar mass into specific shapes resembling people, animals, and objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurobehavioral disorder in children. There are limited studies for diet or dietary supplement effects on ADHD in preschool children in Asia. This study aimed to determine the association between dietary patterns in 4-year-old children and ADHD symptoms in 6-year-old children. Methods: We estimated dietary intake in 4-year-old children using a food frequency questionnaire. Using 33 food groups, major dietary patterns were identified in relation to the consumption of sweets, vegetables, meats, and carbohydrates. Parents of 6-year-old children used the Korean version of the ADHD Rating Scale for ADHD symptom assessment. Results: A sweet dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk of attention deficit (AD) (relative risk [RR], 1.34; confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.55), hyperactivity (RR, 1.40; CI, 1.19–1.64), and ADHD symptoms (RR, 1.37; CI, 1.23–1.52). A vegetable dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk of ADHD symptoms (RR, 0.81; CI, 0.72–0.90). Food item analysis of the sweet dietary pattern showed that intake scores for chocolate, chips, and fruit jams positively correlated with AD, hyperactivity, and ADHD symptoms. Discussion: These findings can be useful to further understand the roles of dietary factors in ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The process of air-cooling caramel remains one of the most complicated issues of contemporary food industry, since it is time-consuming and requires multi-level cooling units. Therefore, the development of an innovative method of cooling caramel in «cold» potable ethanol is an urgent task the modern food science has to solve. The method op-timizes and intensifies the technological process, as it reduces production areas by eliminating some technological stages and complex units of metal-intensive and energyintensive equipment. It gives caramel antiseptic properties and a perfectly smooth, shiny, and dry surface. Study objects and methods. The research objective was to develop a fundamentally new and promising caramel technology. The experimental studies on the production and cooling were performed in a mixing and forming multi-unit with a high-performance cooling chamber. The chamber had functions of automatic measurements and control of the main parameters of the cooling process. The research used «cold» potable ethanol. Results and discussion. The paper introduces a mathematical model of the process of cooling caramel in ethanol. It includes heat transfer processes in alcohol, in the caramel mass, and on their border. The model was based on equations of transient heat conduction in a sphere. The process of heat exchange with the environment, i.e. alcohol, was characterized by the coefficient of heat transfer from the sphere. The model parameters included dynamic viscosity, density, thermal conductivity coefficient, and specific heat capacity. Based on the experimental data, the parameters were ap-proximated as a function of temperature by a cubic polynomial. Conclusion. The developed mathematical model made it possible to estimate the radial temperature distribution of caramel in the form of a sphere during its convective cooling in ethanol. The model also predicted the change in the average volume temperature of the caramel and energy costs depending on the cooling period, the flow speed of the ethanol, the thermophysical properties of the caramel and the cooling agent. The proposed mathematical model can be used to calculate the required consumption of ethanol for cooling and backwater of the caramel production line.

The subject of the article constitutes memories of native Silesians about childhood, or, more precisely, a selected element of cultural heritage, which are sweets, or maszkety, as they are called in the Silesian dialect. The presented statements were recorded by the author during field research conducted between 2019 and 2021 in Upper Silesia, in two provinces – Opole and Silesia – in rural and urban communities. The collected material reveals a picture of childhood in Poland from the post-war period to the 1980s within the context of specific food items, and their place and importance in the lives of children. The material provides a lot of interesting information about the sweets themselves, the circumstances of their preparation and consumption, as well as the past living conditions, changes in eating patterns, as well as celebrations and holidays in families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution of Alfonso V the Magnanimous to the Popularization of Catalan Culinary Customs in the Kingdom of Naples in the 15th century The wars for Naples ended in 1442 with the victory of Alfonso V the Magnanimous, the ruler of the Crown of Aragon (1416–1458). The emergence of foreign authority in southern Italy entailed the transfer of the Catalan culture, language and customs to the area of Italian Mezzogiorno. In this process, Catalan culinary traditions which developed at the end of the fourteenth century also occupied an important place. One of them was a separate sweet snack, referred to by the Catalan term col·lació (collatio in Latin). The organization and celebration of col·lació became an important form of ostentation for the Catalan ruling and financial elites. In this article, the author discusses excerpts from historical sources whose authors include, among others, Antonio Beccadelli, Jordi de Centelles, Vespasiano da Bisticci, Giovanni Pontano, as well as the ambassadors of Barcelona and Portugal and other anonymous authors writing about the times of Alfonso V the Magnanimous. The data provided by these sources clearly indicate that this ruler followed the custom of eating sweet colazione known in Italy at this time and gave it a new meaning at least as early as in the 1440s. Thanks to this ruler of Aragon and new Neapolitan king, the sweet snack became one of the instruments of the ostentation of wealth and prestige for the new rulers of the southern part of Italy and soon after also for other princes and lords of the area.

AtSWEET11 and AtSWEET12 are central players in phloem loading and long-distance sucrose translocation. During drought stress, these transporters enhance sucrose transport from shoot to root, increasing root proliferation. Chen et al. have now unravelled novel aspects of sucrose transport regulation, occurring via AtSWEET11 and AtSWEET12 phosphorylation and oligomerisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]