Plasma Engineering toward Improving the Microwave-Absorbing/Shielding Feature of a Biomass-Derived Material.

During the past decade, ever-increasing electromagnetic pollution has excited a global concern. A sustainable resource, facile experimental scenario, fascinating reflection loss (RL), and broad efficient bandwidth are the substantial factors that intrigue researchers. This research led to the achievement of a brilliant microwave-absorbing material by treating pampas as biomass. The carbon-based microfibers attained by biowaste were treated by plasma under diverse environments to amplify their microwave-absorbing features. Moreover, a pyrolysis scenario was performed to compare the results. The reductive processes were performed by H2 plasma and carbonization. However, the CO2 plasma was performed to regulate the heteroatoms and defects. Interestingly, polystyrene (PS) was applied as a microwave-absorbing matrix. The aromatic rings existing in the absorbing medium establish electrostatic interactions, elevating interfacial polarization, and physical characteristics of PS augment the practical applications of the final product. The manipulated biomasses were characterized by Raman, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and diffuse reflection spectroscopy analyses. Eventually, the microwave-absorbing features were estimated by a vector network analyzer. The plasma-treated pampas under H2/Ar blended with PS gained a maximum RL of -90.65 dB at 8.79 GHz and an efficient bandwidth (RL ≤ -10 dB) of 4.24 GHz with a thickness of 3.20 mm; meanwhile, plasma treatment under CO2 led to a maximum RL of 97.99 dB at 14.92 GHz and an efficient bandwidth of 7.74 GHz with a 2.05 mm thickness. Particularly, the biomass plasmolyzed under Ar covered the entire X and Ku bands with a thickness of 2.10 mm. Notably, total shielding efficiencies of the treated bioinspired materials were up to ≈99%, desirable for practical applications.

Trends in the consumption of conventional dairy milk and plant-based beverages and their contribution to nutrient intake among Canadians.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests a shift from conventional dairy milk to plant-based beverages (PBBs) for a number of lifestyles and perceived health-related reasons. METHODS: Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Healthy Surveys, the main objectives of the present study were to (i) examine the trend in the proportion of Canadians (≥ 2 years) consuming plain milk and PBBs and (ii) determine the percentage contribution of plain milk and PBBs to daily energy and nutrient intakes. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2015, the percentage of Canadians consuming plain milk significantly decreased from 70.2% to 56.1%, whereas the percentage of PBBs consumers significantly increased from 1.8% to 3.0%. In 2015, plain milk provided almost 50% of the daily vitamin D intake, over 30% of calcium and vitamin B12, and over 20% of vitamin A and riboflavin among plain milk consumers. The top five nutrients provided by PBBs among PBBs consumers were vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A and riboflavin. Although plain milk was a major contributor to saturated fat (14.5%) and protein (12.5%) intake among plain milk consumers, PBBs provided only 0.2% of saturated fat and 1.4% of protein intake in the diet of PBBs consumers. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of plain milk by Canadians has declined and the consumption of PBBs has increased, which may differentially affect the nutritional profile of the diet.

Vitamin D Intake from Supplemental Sources but Not from Food Sources Has Increased in the Canadian Population Over Time.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is lacking to determine whether there have been any changes in dietary or total usual intakes of vitamin D among Canadians, in the light of recent evidence of beneficial health effects beyond bone. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine trends in dietary and total usual intake of vitamin D among Canadians aged ≥1 y. METHODS: This study used nationally representative nutrition data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2 (CCHS 2004) and CCHS Nutrition in 2015. Dietary intake data were collected with use of two 24-h dietary recalls and dietary supplement use was determined by questionnaire. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate the usual intake of vitamin D as well as the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among Canadians aged ≥1 y. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2015, the usual intake of vitamin D from food significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by 1 µg/d only in vitamin D supplement nonusers. The contribution of Milk and Alternatives food group (i.e., fluid milk, fortified soy beverages, powdered milk, and other milk alternatives) to dietary vitamin D intake significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in both supplement users (by 7.1%) and nonusers (by 5.8%). Prevalence of vitamin D supplement use and percentage contribution of vitamin D from supplemental sources significantly increased (P < 0.05) by 5.0% and 14.9%, respectively, from 2004 to 2015. Total usual intake of vitamin D (food + supplement) significantly increased (P < 0.05) from 15.1 ± 0.3 µg/d in 2004 to 31.5 ± 1.8 µg/d in 2015 in vitamin D supplement users. In contrast to vitamin D supplement nonusers, the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy significantly decreased (P < 0.05) from 20.6% to 14.1% among users of vitamin D supplements. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vitamin D supplement use and the percentage contribution of vitamin D from supplemental sources has increased in the Canadian population over an 11-y period.

Calcium Intake from Food and Supplemental Sources Decreased in the Canadian Population from 2004 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: In light of the publications (2008-2014) linking calcium intake, mainly from supplements, to the elevated risk of cardiovascular events, there is a need to determine if there have been any changes in usual intakes of calcium among Canadians. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine changes in dietary and total usual intake of calcium among Canadians aged ≥1 y over the period 2004-2015. METHODS: We used nutrition data from 2 nationally representative surveys conducted in 2004 and 2015 (CCHS 2004 Cycle 2.2 and CCHS-Nutrition 2015). This study included all the Canadians across 10 provinces, and the analyses were performed across different age/sex groups. We used the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to estimate the usual intake of calcium and the prevalence of calcium inadequacy. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the relation between supplement uses and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2015, the usual intake of calcium from food sources significantly decreased in calcium supplement nonusers (from 872 ± 18.2 mg/d to 754 ± 18.0 mg/d), but not in calcium supplement users. The contribution of calcium from the Milk and alternatives food group significantly decreased by 7.5% and 6.1% in calcium supplement users and nonusers, respectively. The prevalence of calcium supplement use significantly decreased from 2004 to 2015 in the Canadian population, from 27.5% to 22.0%. During this time, the percentage contribution of calcium from supplemental sources significantly decreased among Canadians, especially women. The prevalence of calcium inadequacy increased from 58.0% to 68.0% in supplement nonusers; however, among users of calcium supplements, the prevalence of calcium inadequacy remained at ∼31%. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium intake from both food and supplemental sources decreased in the Canadian population over an 11-y period, which must be addressed by policy-makers in their efforts to decrease the high prevalence of calcium inadequacy.

Time, location and frequency of snack consumption in different age groups of Canadians.

BACKGROUND: The location and time of snack consumption may influence the composition, nutrient content and portion sizes of snacks. In this study, we aimed to determine and compare the time, location and frequency of snack consumption among different age groups of Canadians. METHODS: Nationally representative dietary data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were used (19,677 participants aged ≥2 years). Dietary data were obtained using 24-h dietary recalls. Participants were categorized according to the frequency of snack consumption (1 time, 2-3 times, ≥4 times). The snack consumption over 24 h was divided into four time periods: before 10 am, 10 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 8 pm and 8 pm to 12 am. Meal and snack location was categorized as at home; someone else's home; restaurants; and other. RESULTS: Snacking 2-3 times per day was the most common reported frequency (53.0%). Snacking at home (73.0%) was more prevalent than snacking away from home (27.0%). The most frequently reported time for snacking among Canadians was 3 pm to 8 pm (36.3%), and the least frequently reported time was before 10 am (8.1%). Snacking contributed to a high proportion of Milk and Alternatives (23.7%) and Vegetables and Fruit (23.4%) food groups and lesser proportions of Grain Products (15.4%) and Meat & Alternatives (9.4%) food groups among Canadians. CONCLUSIONS: Home is the main location, 3 pm to 8 pm is the main time, and 2-3 times per day is the most common reported frequency for snacking. A full understanding of snacking behaviors is needed in order to develop targeted strategies to improve the quality of snack food choices.

Crocin as a novel therapeutic agent against colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with high incidence and prevalence worldwide. To investigate the therapeutic potency of crocin, as a pharmacologically active component of saffron, in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. Experimental colitis was induced by 7-day administration of DSS dissolved in water at a concentration of 1.5% (w/v). The animals were randomly divided into four groups (n»6 for each group). (1) Control group received regular drinking water for four weeks, (2) the second group of mice received regular drinking water for three weeks and then received DSS for one week, (3) and (4) the other two groups received 50-ppm or 200-ppm crocin for three weeks, respectively, and then treated with DSS for one week. Our results showed that Crocin attenuates colitis disease activity index including body weight loss, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and colon shortening in crocin pre-tread mice. Comparison of histology of colon tissues between groups showed that crocin significantly decreases colon histopathological score, at least partially, by eliciting anti-inflammatory responses in DSS-induced colitis mice. These results clearly showed that crocin is a novel therapeutic agent with low toxicity as well as great clinical significance in treatment of colitis.

Hypericum perforatum in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders are substantially associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common psychiatric disorders that often co-occur with each other as well as with other mental health conditions. Because of the limitations of currently available antidepressant therapies, there is a need for agents with improved efficacy and less adverse effects. Hypericum perforatum, widely known as St. John's wort, is a perennial herbaceous plant most well known for its antidepressant properties. METHODS: We reviewed the available in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence on the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of St. John's wort and its active constituents in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. RESULTS: Several interesting data have been reported about the antidepressant properties of H. perforatum in clinical trials with different designs. In particular, a number of antidepressant-controlled trials demonstrated that H. perforatum and its active ingredients, hypericin and hyperforin, possess antidepressant properties similar to those of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors but with fewer and milder side effects. CONCLUSION: St. John's wort may exert potent antidepressant effects and represents an efficacious and safe treatment. However, the current clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of H. perforatum in other psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders is not sufficient to draw a robust conclusion.

The potential therapeutic use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Inflammation is a normal part of the immune response to injury or infection but its dysregulation promotes the development of inflammatory diseases, which cause considerable human suffering. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are the most commonly prescribed agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, but they are accompanied by a broad range of side effects, including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is traditionally known for its role in blood pressure regulation. However, there is increasing evidence that RAS signaling is also involved in the inflammatory response associated with several disease states. Angiotensin II increases blood pressure by binding to angiotensin type 1 (AT1 ) receptor, and direct renin inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs) are clinically used as antihypertensive agents. Recent data suggest that these drugs also have anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this review summarizes these recent findings for the efficacy of two of the most widely used antihypertensive drug classes, ACE inhibitors and ARBs, to reduce or treat inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, steatohepatitis, colitis, pancreatitis, and nephritis.

Therapeutic potency of Wnt signaling antagonists in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, current status and perspectives.

Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death in males. Wnt/ß-catenin signaling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of this disease by regulating angiogenesis, drug resistance, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Suppression of Wnt canonical or noncanonical signaling pathways via Wnt biological or pharmacological antagonists is a potentially novel therapeutic approach for patients with prostate cancer. This review summarizes the role of Wnt signaling inhibitors in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.

Therapeutic potency of crocin in the treatment of inflammatory diseases: Current status and perspective.

Crocin is the major component of saffron, which is used in phytomedicine for the treatment of several diseases including diabetes, fatty liver, depression, menstruation disorders, and, of special interest in this review, inflammatory diseases. Promising selective anti-inflammatory properties of this pharmacological active component have been observed in several studies. Saffron has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory properties against several inflammatory diseases and can be used as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases either alone or in combination with other standard anti-inflammatory agents. This review summarizes the protective role of saffron and its pharmacologically active constituents in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases including digestive diseases, dermatitis, asthma, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases for a better understanding and hence a better management of these diseases.

Therapeutic potency of pharmacological adenosine receptors agonist/antagonist on cancer cell apoptosis in tumor microenvironment, current status, and perspectives.

The hypoxic niche of tumor leads to a tremendous increase in the extracellular adenosine concentration through alteration of adenosine metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This consequently affects cancer progression, local immune responses, and apoptosis of tumor cells. Regulatory effect of adenosine on apoptosis in TME depends on the cancer cell type, pharmacological characteristics of adenosine receptor subtypes, and the adenosine concentration in the tumor niche. Exploiting specific pharmacological adenosine receptor agonist and antagonist inducing apoptosis in cancer cells can be considered as a proper procedure to control cancer progression. This review summarizes the regulatory role of adenosine in cancer cell apoptosis for a better understanding, and hence better management of the disease.

Therapeutic potency of oncolytic virotherapy in breast cancer targeting, current status and perspective.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women and presents a serious therapeutic challenge worldwide. Traditional treatments are less successful at targeting cancer tumors, leading to recurrent treatment-resistant secondary malignancies. Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) is a novel anticancer strategy with therapeutic implications at targeting cancer cells by using mechanisms that differ from conventional therapies. Administration of OVs either alone or in combination with standard therapies provide new insights regarding the effectiveness and improvement of treatment responses for breast cancer patients. This review summarizes cellular, animal and clinical studies investigating therapeutic potency of oncolytic virotherapy in breast cancer treatment for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers: Current findings and potential mechanisms of action.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide and include malignancies of the GI tract such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and rectum. Promising and selective anticancer effects of pharmacologically active components of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) have been shown in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies. Saffron and its active components including crocin, crocetin, and safranal exert their anticancer effects through different mechanisms, including induction of apoptosis, influence on the cell cycle, and regulation of host immune response and anti-inflammatory activities. This review summarizes the recent literature on the chemopreventive properties of saffron in GI cancers to have a better understanding of the potential underlying mechanisms and hence the appropriate management of these malignancies.

Evidence for the Validity of the Children's Attraction to Physical Activity (CAPA) Scale in Iranian Preschool Children.

PURPOSE: The escalating trend of overweight and obesity is a major global health challenge and needs particular attention. There are a number of reasons for this increase, but the dominant one appears to be the pandemic of physical inactivity. It is now clear that children's attraction to physical activity is an important promising factor in children's physical activity involvement. In this study, we aimed to cross-validate the long version of children's attraction to physical activity (CAPA) scale in Iranian preschool children. DESIGN AND METHODS: Evidence for the validity of the scale was based on face validity, content validity, and internal consistency. The scale was translated into Persian and underwent forward translation, synthesis of the translation and backward translation. Face and content validity were subsequently assessed on individuals and expert panels. A sample of 30 preschool children (5-6 years of age) were randomly selected from three kindergartens. Children were interviewed by their kindergarten teachers. RESULTS: Internal consistency for each of the five subscales of the CAPA scale was evaluated through Cronbach's alpha. The internal consistency was acceptable for most of the subscales when negative statements were excluded from the analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The results supported the use of modified version of Persian-language long CAPA scale for Iranian preschool children, with the deletion of negatively worded items. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health care professionals may use the CAPA when assessing the attraction of children toward physical activity and its potential involvement in childhood obesity.

The prognostic value of long noncoding RNA MEG3 expression in the survival of patients with cancer: A meta-analysis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a tumor suppressor that is downregulated in several cancers. However, its prognostic value in human malignancies remains controversial. We have therefore undertaken a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between cancer survival and the expression of lncRNA MEG3. A systematic literature search identified 13 potentially eligible investigations comprising 1733 patients in nine different cancer types. In the pooled analysis, a low expression of MEG3 was associated with low overall survival (OS) in patients with cancer having a combined hazard ratio (HR) of 0.830 (HR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70-0.98; p = 0.03; random effect model). However, subgroup analysis according to cancer type revealed that MEG3 expression was not associated with better OS in gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.33-1.03; p = 0.06), and patients with breast cancer (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.12-5.88; p = 0.87). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that only in the pooled analysis, there was a significant relationship between MEG3 expression and cancer survival. Further investigation of other molecular biomarkers involved in tumorigenesis-related pathways is necessary.

Role of Wnt5a in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Diseases.

Wnt5a initiates pro-inflammatory responses through activation of non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Pro-inflammatory functions of Wnt5a trigger pro-inflammatory signaling cascades and increase secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Wnt5a as a potent signaling molecule is strongly implicated in a number of diseases including cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and of special interest in this review, inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the role of Wnt5a in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis vulgaris and sepsis, promoting greater understanding, and clinical management of these diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1611-1616, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of hematocrit with blood pressure and hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) is a risk factor for stroke, renal failure, and cardiovascular disease. The association between biochemical and hematological parameters with high blood pressure may provide a more precise approach to risk prediction conferred by HTN in these patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of current study was to explore whether biochemical and hematological parameters are associated with HTN in a cohort study with a 7-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 9808 individuals were enrolled and recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorders (MASHAD) cohort study, and biochemical and hematological factors were measured in all subjects. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association of biochemical and hematological parameters with HTN. RESULTS: Several biochemical parameters including fasting plasma glucose (FBG), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and uric acid were increased in hypertensive participants. In contrast, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was lower in hypertensive individuals. Furthermore, we demonstrated that hematological parameters including white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group. But mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and red cell distribution width (RDW), were decreased in the hypertensive group. Furthermore, our results strongly suggested that among these parameters, hematocrit was the independent risk factor for hypertension in the population. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the association of altered biochemical and hematological factors with hypertension supporting the value of emerging markers for early prediction of high blood pressure in prone individuals.

Synergistic adsorption of methylene blue with carrageenan/hydrochar-derived activated carbon hydrogel composites: Insights and optimization strategies.

The study explores the use of hydrochar-derived activated carbon (AC) to improve the adsorption capacity and mechanical properties of carrageenan (CAR) hydrogel beads. Four distinct samples, with carrageenan to activated carbon ratios of 1:0 (CAR), 2:1 (CAC2), 4:1 (CAC4), and 10:1 (CAC10), were prepared. These polymeric beads underwent comprehensive evaluation for their methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity, gel content (GC), and swelling ratio (SR). Increasing activated carbon content up to 50 % of carrageenan mass significantly enhanced GC and SR by 20.57 % and 429.24 %, respectively. Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize the composites, including FTIR, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy, BET, SEM, and EDS-Mapping. Batch adsorption tests investigated the effects of pH, contact time, dye concentration, and temperature on MB adsorption. Maximum adsorption capacities for CAR, CAC10, CAC4, and CAC2 were 475.48, 558.54, 635.93, and 552.35 mg/g, respectively, under optimal conditions. Kinetic models (Elovich and pseudo-second-order) and isotherm models (Temkin for CAR and Freundlich for CAC10, CAC4, and CAC2) fitted well with the experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis showed spontaneous, exothermic MB adsorption. Primary mechanisms include electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, n-π, and π-π stacking. The study highlights enhanced adsorption capacity of carrageenan hydrogel via carrageenan/activated carbon composites, providing cost-effective wastewater treatment.

Exploring Healthy Eating Perceptions, Barriers, and Facilitators among Urban Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan.

Urban Indigenous populations encounter distinctive challenges in maintaining traditional dietary practices, compounded by the complexities of socio-economic and environmental factors and the modern urban lifestyle. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of healthy eating, along with the facilitators and barriers to such practices, among urban Indigenous peoples in Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert. Through virtual interviews, we engage 14 participants from these cities. Utilizing NVivo for thematic coding, we apply inductive thematic analysis to reveal relevant themes. The study highlights a preference for nutrient-rich, natural, and minimally processed foods, with a significant emphasis on incorporating traditional Indigenous foods into diets. These preferences are deeply entwined with cultural identity and underscore the importance of traditional foods in maintaining cultural heritage and promoting well-being. Despite the intrinsic value of these traditional foods, participants face several barriers to healthy eating, including economic constraints, limited access to traditional foods, and the psychological impacts of historical trauma. Nevertheless, facilitators such as community and family support, engagement in traditional food practices, and a growing awareness of nutritional knowledge are identified as being crucial in supporting healthy dietary choices. This research underscores the complex interplay of cultural, economic, and environmental factors in shaping the dietary practices of urban Indigenous peoples.

"I Haven't Had Moose Meat in a Long Time": Exploring Urban Indigenous Perspectives on Traditional Foods in Saskatchewan.

This qualitative study investigates the perspectives of urban Indigenous individuals in Saskatchewan, Canada, regarding their consumption of traditional foods. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 participants across Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert, the research aimed to uncover the benefits, risks, and barriers associated with acquiring and consuming traditional foods. Participants emphasized the nutritional advantages of traditional foods, such as higher nutrient density and absence of industrial additives, which they linked to improved health outcomes and alignment with Indigenous biology. The study also highlighted the vital role of traditional foods in maintaining cultural identity and fostering community connections through practices of food sharing and intergenerational knowledge transfer. However, significant challenges were identified, including economic and physical barriers to access, environmental degradation, and regulatory issues that restrict the availability of traditional foods in urban settings. The findings suggest a complex landscape where cultural practices are both preserved and challenged within the urban environment. This study contributes to the broader understanding of how Indigenous populations navigate the preservation of their culinary heritage in the face of modern economic and environmental pressures, providing insights for policy and community-based interventions aimed at supporting Indigenous food sovereignty.