Patrones de alimentación perceptiva durante la primera infancia en conglomerados urbanos. Argentina, 2018-19 / Responsive feeding patterns during early childhood in urban areas. Argentina, 2018­2019

Introducción. La calidad de la alimentación implica tanto la cantidad y calidad de los alimentos que se ofrecen como la forma en que se ofrecen, el entorno y las respuestas de quien los ofrece. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar patrones de comportamiento relacionados a la alimentación perceptiva en niños entre 6 y 23 meses de áreas urbanas de la Argentina en 2018-19. Población y métodos. Análisis secundario de datos de la 2da Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición y Salud 2018-19, de una muestra probabilística polietápica de localidades urbanas de 5000 habitantes y más de Argentina. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y análisis de componentes principales para identificar los patrones de alimentación perceptiva en 4379 niños y niñas de 6 a 23 meses. Resultados. Se identificaron cinco patrones de alimentación perceptiva, las dos primeras dimensiones explicaron el 71,1 % de la inercia (p = 0,013). El patrón donde prevalecía la posibilidad de experimentación, la autonomía, la interacción y la ausencia de pantallas, premios y distracciones se asoció a niños/as mayores de 12 meses, de las regiones del centro y sur (Cuyo, Pampeana, Gran Buenos Aires y Patagonia), mientras que el patrón relacionado con menor autonomía, experimentación y autorregulación correspondió a las regiones Noroeste y Noreste, y a niños/as entre 6 y 11 meses. Conclusión. Se evidencian prácticas de alimentación perceptiva que se corresponden con patrones diferenciados entre sí, asociados a diferentes etapas y a la región donde viven los niños/as.

Introduction. Dietary quality involves both the quantity and quality of food offered, the way and the setting in which it is offered, and the responses of the person offering it. The objective of this study was to identify behavioral patterns related to responsive feeding in children aged 6 to 23 months in urban areas from Argentina in 2018­2019. Population and methods. Secondary analysis based on data from the second National Survey on Nutrition and Health of 2018­2019 conducted in a multistage probability sample from urban areas of 5000 inhabitants or more in Argentina. A descriptive analysis and a principal component analysis were performed to identify responsive feeding patterns in 4379 children aged 6 to 23 months. Results. Five responsive feeding patterns were identified; the first 2 dimensions explained 71.1% of inertia (p = 0.013). The pattern with a prevailing possibility of experimentation, autonomy, interaction, and the absence of screens, rewards and distractions was associated with children older than 12 months from the central and south regions (Cuyo, Pampa, Greater Buenos Aires, and Patagonia), whereas the pattern related to a lower autonomy, experimentation, and self-regulation corresponded to children aged 6 to 11 months from the Northwest and Northeast regions. Conclusion. There is evidence of responsive feeding practices that correspond to distinguishable patterns, associated with different stages of life and with the region where the children live

[Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Tools for Preterm Infants].

Due to their underdeveloped physiological maturity, preterm infants often face challenges related to sucking, breathing, and swallowing coordination during initial feeding. This lack of coordination may lead to episodes of apnea and choking, resulting in unstable vital signs. Preterm infants with this issue must gradually learn oral feeding skills appropriate to their developmental stage. Registered nurses play a critical role in assessing the right time to transition from tube to oral feeding and in providing a safe and positive oral feeding experience. In this article, three validated assessment tools for feeding premature infants are introduced, accompanied by clinical research data demonstrating their use in clinical practice. These three tools include: (1) the Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale, which is applied to evaluate oral motor skills using observations of nonnutritive sucking and the sucking state during the two minutes before feeding; (2) the Premature Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale, which is used to assess readiness for oral feeding in preterm infants; and (3) the Early Feeding Skills assessment, which is used to evaluate the oral feeding skills of preterm infants. These tools aid nurses in helping preterm infants achieve independent oral feeding, facilitating earlier discharge and return to home. The clinical implications and effectiveness of these tools are also discussed to provide to nurses the means and confidence necessary to apply them appropriately in clinical settings.

Nutritional and Culinary Habits to Empower Families (n-CHEF): a feasibility study to increase consumption and home cooking of plant-based foods.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the feasibility and acceptability of a culinary nutritional intervention aimed at increasing plant-based foods consumption in the context of the Mediterranean diet in parent-child dyads. DESIGN: The Nutritional and Culinary Habits to Empower Families (n-CHEF) is a 9-month feasibility study that included four culinary nutritional workshops (two face to face, two online) led by a chef and a dietitian-nutritionist. These workshops combined cooking with plant-based foods, with nutritional advice and experimental activities. The main outcomes were retention, quality of the intervention (monitoring workshops, acceptability and perceived impact) and changes in dietary and cooking habits. SETTING: Parent-child dyads, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Parent-child (aged 10-14 years) dyads. RESULTS: Fifteen parent-child dyads were recruited, of which thirteen were retained during the 6-month follow-up. All but one parent-child dyads attended the four workshops. The overall assessment of the workshops was positive, although the online workshops were rated lower than the face to face. In general, parent-child dyads reported benefits in terms of nutrition and cooking aspects. Parents significantly increased their adherence to the Mediterranean diet, but non-significant changes were observed in children. However, children increased their consumption of vegetables and legumes and reduced snacks and ready meals. Parents also changed some of their culinary habits and increased their confidence in cooking at home. CONCLUSIONS: The n-CHEF showed that the culinary nutritional intervention had good levels of recruitment, retention and acceptability among parent-child dyads. In addition, dietary and culinary knowledge and habits can be improved, although further studies are needed to know the long-term effects in larger populations.

Influence of eating while watching TV on food preference and overweight/obesity among adolescents in China: a longitudinal study.

Background: Eating while watching TV was found associated with unhealthy food preferences and obesity in adolescents in foreign studies, which is not clear in China. The study aims to explore the influence of eating while watching TV on food preferences and overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents. Methods: Data from 1768 adolescents (aged 12-17 years) in the 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) was analyzed. The height and weight were measured. Mixed effect models were used to identify the associations between eating while watching TV and adolescents' food preferences and overweight/obesity. Results: Adolescents eating while watching TV ≥1 time/week were more likely to prefer fast food, salty snacks and soft drinks than those eating while watching TV <1 time/week. Adolescents eating meals while watching TV ≥1 time/week were less likely to prefer vegetables than those eating meals while watching TV <1 time/week. In addition, adolescents eating snacks while watching TV ≥1 time/week were more likely to be overweight/obesity than those eating meals while watching TV <1 time/week (odds ratio [OR] = 7.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-36.93). Conclusion: Eating snacks while watching TV was positively associated with adolescents' unhealthy food preferences and overweight/obesity. Eating meals while watching TV was associated with adolescents' unhealthy food preferences. Implementing web-based Community-based participatory research (CBPR) about reducing eating while watching TV may be a practical strategy to develop healthy food preferences and prevent overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents.

Consumer food environments change over a 5-year period.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the 5-year changes in the consumers' food environment in the area of a health promotion service in Brazilian primary health care. Our hypothesis is that the consumers' food environment in the areas with primary healthcare services has changes that may favour healthy eating habits over time. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: The territory around the primary healthcare services in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: All food stores and open-air food markets that sell fruits and vegetables around the primary healthcare services in 2013 (n 272) and in 2018 (n 265). RESULTS: Fruit diversity increased by 13·4 % (P < 0·001) and vegetables variety and quality by 16·1 % (P = 0·003) and 12·5 % (P < 0·001), respectively. Corn snacks showed an increase in availability (13·5 %; P = 0·002). The increase in advertising was observed for fruits and vegetables (34·6 %; P < 0·001) and ultra-processed foods (47·6 %; P < 0·001). Supermarkets showed an increase in the Healthy Food Store Index (three points; P < 0·001), while fruits and vegetables stores showed a decrease of one point in the index (P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: The unequal changes in the consumers' food environment according to the food stores types demonstrate the importance of food supply policies that promote a healthy environment and favour the maintenance of traditional healthy food retailers.

Evaluation of the relationship between the frequency of attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder symptoms and nutritional habits in children.

INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common chronic neurodevelopment disorder characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity at levels that are not compatible with age. ADHD is one of the high social and individual costs for the population of the country. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between some sociodemographic characteristics, nutrition and sleep patterns, certain habits and various factors with ADHD in primary school children aged between 6 to 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, a total of 600 children's parents were asked to fill in the Conners Parent Rating Scale - Short Form (CPRS-48), which consists of 48 questions. The questions in the scale are answered by the parents on a four-point Likert scale. The responses were scored as 0, 1, 2 and 3 for 'never', 'rarely', 'often' and 'always', respectively. It was accepted that the children who scored at least 18 for the behaviour problem subscale, at least five for the learning problem subscale, at least six for the aggression, hyperactivity subscale, and at least seven for the defying subscale were considered to be in the problematic category. In order to determine the eating habits of the children included in the study, their parents filled out the food consumption frequency form. Foods in the form of food consumption frequency are divided into two groups as healthy and unhealthy foods. Individuals were given scores between 0 and 6 according to the frequency of food consumption. The healthy food group and unhealthy food group scores were collected separately. RESULTS: Of the children included in the study, 312 (52%) were male, with a mean age of 8.24±1.30 (range: 6 10) years. The mean CPRS-48 score was 23.88±19.71. The Cronbach's Alpha value of the CPRS-48 scale, which consists of 48 questions in total, was obtained as 0.957. The mean CPRS-48 score was significantly higher in boys (p = 0.014), in those whose mothers smoked during pregnancy (p = 0.008), those who did not receive breast feeding at birth or those who received less than 2 months (p = 0.035), those who frequently skipped meals (p < 0.001), those who do not have breakfast regularly (p = 0.002), those who spend more than four hours a day using a tablet/computer (p = 0.007), those who watch television more than 2 hours a day (p = 0.003), those who do not have regular sleep (p = 0.012), those who sleep less than 8t hours a night (p = 0.031), those who do not spend quality time with their families at least 2 days a week (p = 0.002) and those who do not have a hobby or sport that they were constantly interested in (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The finding of the present study show that CPRS score in children is associated with some factors such as mother's habits in pregnancy, behaviours in having meals, daily habits and regular sleep. Although eating habits are a risk factor for ADHD, when the right eating habits are acquired, they can reduce the risk or symptoms of ADHD. However, more extensive and valid studies should be conducted to better explain this issue.

'For me it's just the conversation:' responsive feeding influences among early childhood educators.

OBJECTIVE: Early learning and childcare (ELCC) programmes play an important role in shaping children's eating behaviours and long-term health by establishing a responsive feeding environment that encompasses not only mealtime behaviours but also extends to play activities and language used throughout the day. Despite their potential benefits, many ELCC centres do not consistently implement responsive feeding behaviours, facing challenges with organisational and behavioural changes within these environments. This study aims to identify influences on responsive feeding behaviours among early childhood educators prior to an intervention. DESIGN: A qualitative study guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and Capability Opportunity Motivation - Behaviour (COM-B) model. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes, categorising them within the corresponding COM-B domains. SETTING: Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one ELCC staff in various roles across eight centres from two provinces in eastern Canada. RESULTS: Fifteen influences, spanning across all six domains of the COM-B model, were identified, highlighting gaps in educators' knowledge and skills, varied approaches to food and feeding, and the interactions with children, parents, and co-workers on mealtimes dynamics. Additionally, costs, centre location and other physical resources emerged as enabling opportunities for responsive feeding behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer a comprehensive exploration of the diverse factors influencing responsive feeding behaviours among educators, each varying in its potential for future behaviour change intervention.

A Drosophila computational brain model reveals sensorimotor processing.

The recent assembly of the adult Drosophila melanogaster central brain connectome, containing more than 125,000 neurons and 50 million synaptic connections, provides a template for examining sensory processing throughout the brain1,2. Here we create a leaky integrate-and-fire computational model of the entire Drosophila brain, on the basis of neural connectivity and neurotransmitter identity3, to study circuit properties of feeding and grooming behaviours. We show that activation of sugar-sensing or water-sensing gustatory neurons in the computational model accurately predicts neurons that respond to tastes and are required for feeding initiation4. In addition, using the model to activate neurons in the feeding region of the Drosophila brain predicts those that elicit motor neuron firing5-a testable hypothesis that we validate by optogenetic activation and behavioural studies. Activating different classes of gustatory neurons in the model makes accurate predictions of how several taste modalities interact, providing circuit-level insight into aversive and appetitive taste processing. Additionally, we applied this model to mechanosensory circuits and found that computational activation of mechanosensory neurons predicts activation of a small set of neurons comprising the antennal grooming circuit, and accurately describes the circuit response upon activation of different mechanosensory subtypes6-10. Our results demonstrate that modelling brain circuits using only synapse-level connectivity and predicted neurotransmitter identity generates experimentally testable hypotheses and can describe complete sensorimotor transformations.

Neural circuit mechanisms underlying context-specific halting in Drosophila.

Walking is a complex motor programme involving coordinated and distributed activity across the brain and the spinal cord. Halting appropriately at the correct time is a critical component of walking control. Despite progress in identifying neurons driving halting1-6, the underlying neural circuit mechanisms responsible for overruling the competing walking state remain unclear. Here, using connectome-informed models7-9 and functional studies, we explain two fundamental mechanisms by which Drosophila implement context-appropriate halting. The first mechanism ('walk-OFF') relies on GABAergic neurons that inhibit specific descending walking commands in the brain, whereas the second mechanism ('brake') relies on excitatory cholinergic neurons in the nerve cord that lead to an active arrest of stepping movements. We show that two neurons that deploy the walk-OFF mechanism inhibit distinct populations of walking-promotion neurons, leading to differential halting of forward walking or turning. The brake neurons, by constrast, override all walking commands by simultaneously inhibiting descending walking-promotion neurons and increasing the resistance at the leg joints. We characterized two behavioural contexts in which the distinct halting mechanisms were used by the animal in a mutually exclusive manner: the walk-OFF mechanism was engaged for halting during feeding and the brake mechanism was engaged for halting and stability during grooming.

Association between dietary factors and breast cancer risk: a matched case-control study in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The role of diet in breast cancer prevention is controversial and limited in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to investigate the association between different dietary factors and breast cancer risk in Vietnamese women. METHODS: Three hundred seventy newly histologically confirmed breast cancer cases and 370 controls matched by 5-year age from September 2019 to March 2020 in Ho Chi Minh City were recorded dietary intake using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were evaluated using conditional logistic regression and adjusted with potential confounders. RESULTS: Compared to the lowest quartile of intake, we found that the highest intake of vegetables, fruit, soybean products, coffee, and egg significantly decreased breast cancer risk, including dark green vegetables (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.78, ptrend=0.022), legumes (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.08-0.44, ptrend <0.001), starchy vegetables (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21-0.66, ptrend=0.003), other vegetables (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28-0.77, ptrend=0.106), fruits (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.74, ptrend <0.001), soybean product (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.86, ptrend=0.311), coffee (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95, ptrend 0.004), and egg (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.23-0.71, ptrend=0.002). CONCLUSION: Greater consumption of vegetables, fruit, soybean products, coffee, and eggs is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. This study provides evidence of breast cancer prevention by increasing the intake of these dietary groups, especially in LMICs.

Host diversity of Aedes albopictus in relation to invasion history: a meta-analysis of blood-feeding studies.

BACKGROUND: The invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus is a major concern for human and animal health given its high potential to spread over large geographical distances, adapt to various habitats and food sources, and act as a vector for pathogens. It is crucial to understand how this species establishes ecological relationships at different locations, as it determines its role in transmission of diseases. METHODS: Based on published blood meal surveys, a meta-analysis was performed to investigate how host diversity changes along the process of invasion at a large scale. For 48 independent localities, the Shannon diversity index was calculated and was then assessed against several moderator variables describing invasion status, habitat type, methodology, survey year and the year of introduction for invasive populations. RESULTS: Diet diversity was higher in the invasive than in the native populations when the strong habitat effects were held constant. Furthermore, the year of introduction also had a significant role, as invasive populations that had been established earlier had wider diet diversity than more recent populations. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive Ae. albopictus has considerable ecological flexibility. The species' ability to adapt to various food sources goes hand in hand with its successful worldwide dispersion, which has strong implications for its role in pathogen transmission.

Feeding habits and malaria parasite infection of Anopheles mosquitoes in selected agroecological areas of Northwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of the host-anopheline mosquitoes' interaction is important for assessing malaria transmission risk and guiding vector control. We assume that changes in malaria vector species' feeding habits, as well as the surrounding environment, have a substantial impact on varied malaria transmission. In this study, we determined the vertebrate host feeding patterns of anopheline mosquitoes to characterize entomologic risk factors for malaria in Jabi Tehnan, Northwestern Ethiopia. METHODS: Blood-fed anophelines surveyed during malaria surveillance in Jabi Tehnan district of northwestern Ethiopia were utilized in this study. They were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps deployed in selected households per village, placed indoors and outdoors, spanning three agroecological settings (dry mountain, plateau, and semiarid highlands) between June 2020 and May 2021. The engorged mosquitoes were analyzed for host blood meal sources and Plasmodium infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing. Infection rates and bovine and human blood indices were calculated and compared for abundant species; between indoors and outdoors and between agroecology using a chi-squared test for equality of proportion in R package at a significant level of p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 246 mosquitoes were successfully typed (indoor, 121; outdoor, 125), with greater relative abundance indoors in mountain and plateau highlands, and outdoors in semiarid areas. Despite ecological differences in blood-fed capture rates, cattle served as the most utilized blood meal source by 11 anopheline species with an overall bovine blood index (BBI) of 74.4%. This trend was dictated by Anopheles gambiae s.l. (198/246; BBI = 73.7%), which exhibited the most plastic feeding habits that included humans (human blood index = 15.7%) and other livestock and rodents. A total of five anopheline species (An. gambiae s.l., An. funestus s.l., An. coustani s.l., An. pretoriensis, and An. pharoensis) fed on humans, of which the first three were found infected with Plasmodium parasites. Most of the infected specimens were An. arabiensis (5.6%, 11/198) and had recently fed mainly on cattle (72.7%, 8/11); one each of infected An. funestus s.l. and An. coustani s.l. had fed on humans and cattle, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate communal feeding on cattle by anophelines including primary and secondary malaria vectors. This study also indicates the importance of cattle-targeted interventions for sustainable control of malaria vectors in the study areas.

Dietary habit and lifestyle of postpartum women in South China: a mixed methods research.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dietary and hygiene behaviours and influencing factors of women during the puerperium in South China. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Three tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China PARTICIPANTS: From November 2022 to March 2023, 327 women with puerperal experience were enrolled using the purposive sampling method, with 323 valid questionnaires collected for data analysis. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six puerperium women and five primary caregivers. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: This study used a questionnaire survey to collect and analyse the current postpartum dietary and hygiene behaviours among women in the South China region, along with their influencing factors. RESULTS: Multinomial logistics regression revealed women residing in urban-rural fringe were more likely to use ventilated rooms (OR 4.496, 95% CI 2.363 to 8.552) and avoid hair washing (OR 0.345, 95% CI 0.159 to 0.749) compared with urban residents. Additionally, women who practiced Buddhism were more likely to wash their hair (OR 11.070, 95% CI 2.339 to 52.379) and take baths (OR 6.856, 95% CI 2.057 to 22.855) compared with those with no religious affiliation. Lastly, those whose primary caregiver was their husband were more likely to consume watermelon (OR 2.235, 95% CI 1.119 to 4.463), persimmon (OR 4.395, 95% CI 1.886 to 10.242) and longan (OR 2.612, 95% CI 1.362 to 5.010). The qualitative study identified five themes: dietary practices, hygiene habits, personal attitude, sources of information and support. CONCLUSION: The dietary and hygiene behaviours of puerperium women in South China are significantly influenced by the residen, primary caregivers and religious beliefs. Medical care providers should adopt a precision postpartum care strategy to improve the quality of care.

Dietary habits and genetic susceptibility: correlations between nutritional intake and genetic risks for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Dietary habits may impact the prevention and management of schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), and genetic and environmental factors can influence both these habits and these disorders. This study investigated the effects of genetic predispositions to SCZ and BD on current dietary habits among older adults with lifestyle-related diseases, potentially offering insights for preventive mental health strategies. A cohort of 730 older patients who were diagnosed with or suspected of having lifestyle-related diseases was assessed for eight current dietary categories: miso soup, Japanese tea, green and yellow vegetables, light-colored vegetables, fruits, pickles, meats, and soybeans. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for the risk of SCZ and BD, including BD types I and II, the shared risk of SCZ and BD, and the differentiation of SCZ from BD, were calculated utilizing data from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Our findings revealed that PRSs for SCZ and BD risk significantly influenced specific dietary habits, particularly decreased consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as light-colored vegetables (SCZ, R2 = 0.0096, p = 3.54 × 10-3; BD, R2 = 0.0074, p = 9.09 × 10-3) and soybeans (SCZ, R2 = 0.0061, p = 0.019; BD, R2 = 0.014, p = 8.38 × 10-4). Notable differences in dietary effects were observed between PRSs for BD I and BD II, with a more pronounced impact associated with BD I (e.g., light-colored vegetables, BD I, R2 = 0.015, p = 3.11 × 10-4; BD II, p > 0.05). Moreover, shared genetic factors for SCZ and BD were correlated with lower intakes of miso soup (R2 = 0.013, p = 1.21 × 10-3), Japanese tea (R2 = 0.0092, p = 5.59 × 10-3), light-colored vegetables (R2 = 0.010, p = 2.92 × 10-3), and soybeans (R2 = 0.014, p = 3.13 × 10-4). No significant correlations were found between PRSs for differentiating SCZ from BD and any dietary patterns (p > 6.25 × 10-3). Genetic risks shared by individuals with SCZ and BD may influence dietary choices in older adults, emphasizing the potential for dietary modifications as part of comprehensive strategies for the prevention of the SCZ and BD onset, as well as for the treatment of individuals at risk of or diagnosed with SCZ and BD.

Dietary patterns related to attention and physiological function in high-altitude migrants.

High altitude exposure negatively affects human attentional function. However, no studies have explored the regulation of attentional and physiological functions from a dietary perspective. A total of 116 Han Chinese students from Tibet University who were born and raised in a plain area and had been living in Tibet for > 2 years were recruited. All participants were male migrants. A food frequency questionnaire, complete blood count, and attention network test were performed on the participants. Pearson's correlation was applied to assess the reliability and validity of the food frequency questionnaire. Principal component analysis was utilized to extract dietary patterns. A linear mixed model was employed to account for individual differences. The results showed that the five main dietary patterns were coarse grain, alcohol, meat, protein, and snacking dietary patterns. Furthermore, individuals who adhered to the coarse grain dietary pattern and had high mean corpuscular hemoglobin showed better attentional performance. Individuals with high alcohol consumption and systemic immune-inflammation index levels exhibited worse attentional performance. These findings imply that high-altitude migrants should include more coarse grains in their daily diet and avoid excessive alcohol consumption to improve attention.

Adverse childhood experiences and profiles of healthy orthorexia versus orthorexia nervosa: towards an explanatory model of orthorexia as a multidimensional eating style.

BACKGROUND: Orthorexia is a complex phenomenon comprising distinct dimensions, including orthorexia nervosa (ON) and healthy orthorexia (HO). However, little is known about the factors influencing these dimensions, their disparities, and the psychological factors underlying orthorexia behaviours. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore ON versus HO dimensions and the predictive role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in a nationally representative sample of Polish individuals. In addition, we aim to investigate the mediating roles of alexithymia, embodiment, and experiential avoidance levels in this association. METHODS: A representative sample of Polish adults (n = 3557) participated in this study. Dimensions of orthorexia (HO, ON) were assessed using the Teruel Orthorexia Scale, while ACEs were evaluated using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Levels of alexithymia were measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, experiential avoidance through the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and embodiment intensity via the Experience of Embodiment Scale. RESULTS: Cluster analysis identified two distinctive orthorexia profiles in the whole sample, i.e., HO (n = 469) and ON (n = 1217), alongside three intermediate HO/ON profiles (n = 1871). The number of ACEs predicted ON tendencies as opposed to HO behaviours in participants. The mediating role of alexithymia, experiential avoidance, and embodiment in the association between ACEs and ON was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that orthorexia is a multidimensional eating style shaped by socio-cultural factors. Adverse childhood experiences may be related to ON behaviours by mediating psychological factors such as experiential avoidance, alexithymia, and embodiment. Effective education and collaborative support are necessary for addressing ON tendencies.

Wood resistance of Magonia pubescens (Sapindaceae), Dalbergia nigra, and Machaerium amplum (Fabaceae) to Nasutitermes sp. (Blattodea: Termitidae).

Termites of the genus Nasutitermes sp. (Blattodea: Termitidae), which feed on cellulose, may cause wood to become brittle and fragile. This study aimed to evaluate the natural resistance of three native wood species: Magonia pubescens (Sapindaceae), Dalbergia nigra and Machaerium amplum (Fabaceae) to attack by Nasutitermes sp. termites and to investigate the relationship between resistance, extractive content, and oven-dry density. Samples of each wood species were subjected to a forced feeding process with Nasutitermes sp. termites for 30 days. Following the exposure, the oven-dry density, extractive content, percentage of wood loss, and termite mortality were determined for each sample. Dalbergia nigra exhibited resistance to termite attack and had the highest extractive content at 13.14%. Conversely, M. amplum had the highest wood loss at 5.37% and the lowest extractive content at 1.94%. Both species showed a negative correlation between wood loss and extractive content, but no correlation with wood density. Magonia pubescens had the highest density at 0.90 g/cm3. Macherium amplum and M. pubescens caused 100% termite mortality, while D. nigra caused 40% mortality.

Feeding patterns of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr are better explained by local drivers than by macroecological drivers.

We modeled feeding of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr to understand the role of global (cross-continental) and regional (river) spatial scales for delineating feeding patterns. The diet composition differed between Eurasia and North America populations. Geographic location (latitude and elevation) had an influence for the most common prey (Ephemeroptera, Diptera and Plecoptera). The random factors (sampling location and river) had a strong explanatory power in our models, suggesting that local drivers may override the effects of large-scale drivers.

Food choice, embodied knowledge and circumscribed agency: factors influencing adolescent girls' and boys' dietary practices in three states in northern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore adolescent dietary practices, related norms and acceptable communication platforms in northern Nigeria to inform future nutrition project design. DESIGN: This was a qualitative formative research study. We used purposive sampling and conducted thirty focus group discussions with male and female adolescents aged 10-14 and 15-19 years (n 180) and six with adult influencers (n 36). We also administered a 24-h dietary recall with the adolescents using the Diet Quality Questionnaire. SETTING: The study was conducted in urban and rural areas in three states in northern Nigeria. RESULTS: Adolescents reported consuming six nutritious food groups the previous day on average. However, there was a wide disparity and only half consumed all five recommended food groups. Adolescents' food choices were influenced by perceptions of the functional and physical benefits of nutritious foods and preferences for satisfying foods. Diverse foods were available in the food environment, but affordability constrained access to nutritious foods. Limited access to income and gender norms constrained adolescent agency over food choice. Girls, particularly those who were pregnant, had less agency related to food than boys. Adolescents thought that peers should be reached through group discussions, radio and phones, among other communication platforms. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents consumed relatively diverse diets. Adolescent food choice was influenced by their embodied experience and knowledge related to nutrition and taste, home food environment and circumscribed agency. Opportunities exist to support healthy diets for adolescents by strengthening adolescents' embodied knowledge, food environments and social support.

Secretory Cells in Halla parthenopeia (Oenonidae): Potential Implications for the Feeding and Defence Strategies of a Carnivorous Burrowing Polychaete.

Carnivorous polychaetes are known to bear diversified and often unique anatomical and behavioural adaptations for predation and defence. Halla parthenopeia, a species known to be a specialized predator of clams, thrives in the soft bottoms of the Mediterranean Sea, holding potential for polyculture and biotechnology due to the secretion of bioactive compounds. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive description of H. parthenopeia's anatomy and microanatomy, shedding light on the relation between morphology and habitat, chemical defences, and feeding behaviour. The pharynx, housing maxillae and mandibles connected to an extensive mucus gland, occupies a considerable portion of the worm's length, reaching beyond the oesophagus. This unique gland is responsible for secreting the feeding mucus, which immobilizes and aids in the digestion of clams probably acting as a vehicle of bioactive compounds synthesized by specialized serous cells in the mouth. Moreover, H. parthenopeia combines behavioural tactics, such as burrowing, and anatomical defences to evade predators. Examination of its epidermis revealed a thick cuticle layer and abundant mucocytes secreting locomotion mucus, both of which save the worm from mechanical harm during movement. When it is preyed upon, the worm can release a substantial amount of Hallachrome, a toxic anthraquinone produced by specific cells in its distal region. This pigment, with its known antimicrobial properties, likely acts as a chemical shield in case of injury. The results suggest that the ability of H. parthenopeia to prey on bivalves and to provide mechanical protection plus defence against pathogens rely on its ability to secrete distinct types of mucus. The interplay between highly specialized microanatomical features and complex behaviours underscores its adaptation as a predator in marine benthic environments.