Association of open skill exercise and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake with brain volume changes among older community-dwelling Japanese individuals.

Considering that a multifactorial lifestyle approach may prove more effective than a single factor approach to improve or maintain brain health, we evaluated the association of exercise (open skill exercise [OSE] or closed skill exercise [CSE]) combined with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFAs) (docosahexaenoic acid [C22:6n-3, DHA], eicosapentaenoic acid [C20:5n-3, EPA], and arachidonic acid [C20:4n-6, ARA]) intake with brain atrophy among older Japanese individuals (n = 795, aged 60-88 years) without a self-reported history of dementia based on the datasets of a two-year longitudinal study. Brain volumes were measured using three-dimensional T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging for follow-up periods of two years. The associations between multivariate-adjusted changes in brain volumes and OSE or CSE frequency (≥ once/month and < once/month) along with LCPUFA intake (≥ median and < median) at the baseline were assessed using a general linear model. Subgroup analysis was performed by restricting DHA and EPA intakes (n = 263; median, 323 mg/d), which represented levels similar to those in countries with low fish consumption. Higher OSE frequencies, ARA intakes, and their combination were inversely associated with decreases in total gray matter and frontal cortex volumes. In subgroup analysis, a combination of higher OSE frequencies and DHA intakes was also associated with a smaller decrease in total gray matter volume. Overall, our findings suggest that regular OSE engagement and appropriate LCPUFA intake may contribute to preventing brain volume decreases in older individuals.

Percepção do peso corporal e dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos / Perception of body weight and difficulties encounteredby people with visual impairment in acquiring, preparing and consuming food

Objetivo: investigar a percepção do peso corporal e as dificuldades encontradas pelas pessoas com deficiência visual na aquisição, na preparação e no consumo dos alimentos. Metodologia: estudo observacional transversal, com adultos e idosos com deficiência visual em Pelotas/RS, realizado no período de abril a maio de 2023. Foi utilizado um questionário composto de 42 itens. Os dados coletados foram analisados por análise descritiva e analítica, e apresentados como média ± desvio padrão ou percentual. Resultados: a amostra contou com 20 pessoas, predominantemente do sexo feminino e idosas. Em relação ao consumo alimentar, 50% dos participantes consomem feijão, 75% frutas e hortaliças, 50% bebidas adoçadas, biscoitos recheados e doces. Referente à percepção do peso corporal, percebeu-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e se sentem "insatisfeitos(as)". Sobre as dificuldades encontradas, 85% dos participantes relataram dificuldade extrema para identificar a validade dos alimentos, 70% para comprar alimentos frescos e perecíveis e 40% para usar a faca para cortar e descascar os alimentos. Conclusão: verificou-se que a maior parte do grupo sente que está acima do peso adequado e estão "insatisfeitos(as)" em relação ao peso corporal. Além disso, dependem de outra pessoa para escolher os alimentos a serem comprados, saber o prazo de validade, preparar alimentos que precisam ser porcionados, servir refeições no prato, cortar carnes, descascar vegetais e frutas, utilizar faca, entre outros. Esta dependência pode influenciar diretamente no seu consumo alimentar quando essas pessoas se encontram sozinhas, optando por consumir alimentos industrializados de fácil preparo ou prontos.

Objective: to investigate the perception of body weight and the difficulties encountered by people with visual impairments in acquiring, preparing and consuming food. Methodology: cross-sectional observational study, with adults and elderly people with visual impairment in Pelotas/RS, carried out from April to May 2023. A questionnaire composed of 42 items was used. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical analysis, and presented as mean ± standard deviation or percentage. Results: the sample included 20 people, predominantly female and elderly. Regarding food consumption, 50% of participants consume beans, 75% fruits and vegetables, 50% sweetened drinks, stuffed cookies and sweets. Regarding the perception of body weight, it was noticed that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and feel "dissatisfied". Regarding the difficulties encountered, 85% of participants reported extreme difficulty in identifying the expiration date of food, 70% in purchasing fresh and perishable foods and 40% in using a knife to cut and peel food. Conclusion: it was found that the majority of the group feels that they are overweight and are "dissatisfied" with their body weight. Furthermore, they depend on someone else to choose the food to be purchased, know the expiration date, prepare food that needs to be portioned, serve meals on the plate, cut meat, peel vegetables and fruits, use a knife, among others. This dependence can directly influence their food consumption when these people are alone, choosing to consume easily prepared or ready-made processed foods.

The role of composite dietary antioxidants in elderly cognitive function: insights from NHANES.

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and cognitive function among elderly individuals, aiming to understand how increased antioxidant intake affects cognitive abilities in an aging population. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014, we analyzed a sample of 2,516 participants aged 60 and above. Cognitive performance was assessed using the CERAD Word Learning and Recall Test, the Animal Fluency Test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for demographic, dietary, and health-related factors to explore the association between CDAI scores and cognitive outcomes. Results: The regression analyses showed a statistically significant positive association between higher CDAI scores and cognitive performance across several tests. Specifically, increments in CDAI were associated with increased scores in the CERAD Word Learning Test: Score 1 (ß = 0.04, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), Score 2 (ß = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.05]), Score 3 (ß = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.06]), and the Delayed Recall Test (ß = 0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.06]). Additionally, significant improvements were observed in the Animal Fluency Test (ß = 0.19, 95% CI [0.14, 0.24]) and the Digit Symbol Test (ß = 0.55, 95% CI [0.39, 0.71]). Subgroup analyses further highlighted that higher CDAI scores conferred more pronounced cognitive benefits in women, individuals aged 80 and above, Non-Hispanic Black people, and those with lower educational levels, suggesting that dietary antioxidants might be particularly beneficial in these groups. Conclusion: An antioxidant-rich diet may represent a viable intervention to mitigate age-related cognitive decline, supporting cognitive health in the elderly. These results underscore the potential public health implications of dietary recommendations aimed at increasing antioxidant consumption among older adults. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and to investigate the underlying mechanisms in detail.

Does food selectivity drive differences in dietary resemblance between children with intellectual disabilities and typical development?

Although children's dietary intake often resembles that of their parents', dietary resemblance has not been examined among children with intellectual disabilities (ID), where food selectivity is a common parental concern. We compared dietary resemblance in children with typical development (TD), ID, and ID and co-occurring autism (ID + A) in parent-child dyads, and examined whether child food selectivity mediated between-group differences. Dietary data from parents and their children (3-8 years, male = 61.8%, TD = 52.9%, ID = 18.6%, ID + A = 28.4%) were analyzed as mother-child (n = 100) and father-child (n = 70) dyads. Dietary resemblance was operationalized as the proportion of foods that were reported as eaten/not eaten by both parent and child in parent-completed Food Frequency Questionnaires. Food refusal rate was used to capture food selectivity (total foods children would not eat/total foods offered). Among mother-child dyads, dietary resemblance did not differ between children with ID compared to TD (P = 0.243). Among father-child dyads, dietary resemblance was 10% lower in children with ID than TD (66.4% vs. 74.1%, P = 0.032), and the difference was partially explained (mediated) by food refusal. Among mother-child dyads, dietary resemblance was 19% lower among children with ID + A than TD (61.5% vs. 75.6%, P = 0.001), and the difference was completely explained by food refusal. Among father-child dyads, dietary resemblance was 22% lower among children with ID + A than TD (57.9% vs. 74.1%, P < 0.001), and the difference was completely explained by food refusal. Subanalyses by food groups produced similar results. Compared to TD children, dietary resemblance was lower in children with ID + A, but not children with ID, and differences were explained by food selectivity. Our findings suggest parents of children with ID + A may have less influence over their child's dietary intake than parents of children with ID or TD.

Organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in giant African snail from the Niger Delta, Nigeria: Implications for dietary exposure and health risk assessment.

The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were evaluated in snails from different locations in the Niger Delta of Nigeria to provide data about their sources and possible risk to humans from the consumption of snails. The OCP and PBDE concentrations in snail samples ranged from 0.31 to 12.2 ng g-1 and 0.21 to 10.9 ng g-1, respectively. The distribution patterns indicated the dominance of chlordanes and penta-BDEs for OCPs and PBDEs, respectively. The hazard index and total cancer risk values for human exposure to OCPs and PBDEs through consumption of these snails were less than 1 and 10-6 (acceptable risk value), respectively, indicating unlikely adverse health effects. The isomer ratios of OCPs in these snails reflected both historical and recent contamination, while the distribution patterns of PBDEs in these snails indicated sources linked to the use of the penta-BDE and octa-BDE formulations rather than the deca-BDE mixture in this region.

Pregnancy affects maternal performance, feed intake, and digestion kinetics parameters in beef heifers.

This study aimed to quantify the effects of physiological status (PS) and potential interaction of this factor with days of pregnancy (DOP) on beef heifers' weight variation, intake, and digestion kinetics. Twelve rumen-cannulated zebu beef heifers (n = 7 pregnant; n = 5 non-pregnant) were used. Heifers were placed in individual pens and fed medium-quality corn silage plus a protein-based supplement. Heifers' body weight was assessed at the beginning and end of each collection period. The feed intake was measured daily. Target outcomes were evaluated at 107, 170, 208, 240, 267, and 286 days of pregnancy. The apparent total-tract digestibility was determined considering the fecal spot collection, during five days within each collection period. Omasal and ruminal digesta samples were collected at 107, 208, and 267 days of pregnancy for determination of partial digestibilities and diet component outflow. For these purposes, Co-EDTA and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) were used as indicators. All data were analyzed using a mixed model framework, considering the PS and DOP as fixed effects and the animal as a random effect. Significant differences were declared when P ≤ 0.05. Pregnant heifers showed an increase in body reserves (+35 kg) from 107 to 240 days of pregnancy, but experienced a decrease in shrunk body weight (-36 kg) from 240 to 286 days of pregnancy. The intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and ash- and protein-free neutral detergent fiber (apNDF) increased as pregnancy progressed (P < 0.04). The apparent total-tract digestibility of DM tended to be lower (P = 0.09), and the apparent total-tract digestibility of apNDF was reduced (P < 0.01) in pregnant heifers. The digestibility of CP was higher (P < 0.01) on days 267 and 286 in pregnant cows compared to non-pregnant heifers. The ruminal digestibility of OM tended to be lower (P = 0.09) in pregnant beef heifers, while the ruminal digestibility of apNDF was lower (P = 0.02) in pregnant heifers compared to non-pregnant ones. The ruminal pool of wet matter and DM was lower (P ≤ 0.01) in pregnant heifers at 267 days of pregnancy. In all periods, the outflow tended to be greater (P = 0.06) in pregnant heifers compared to non-pregnant heifers. Pregnant beef heifers exhibited a faster (P = 0.01) digesta passage rate during late gestation. In conclusion, late-gestating beef heifers are less efficient in extracting energy from feed compared to non-pregnant animals.

Metabolomics-based biomarkers of fermented dairy and red meat intake: a randomized controlled trial in healthy adults.

Background: Dietary assessment is usually performed through imprecise tools, leading to error-prone associations between diet and health-related outcomes. Metabolomics has been applied in recent years to develop biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) and to study metabolites in the diet-microbiome crosstalk. Candidate BFIs exist to detect intake of meat and to a lesser extent dairy, but validation and further development of BFIs are needed. Here, we aim to identify biomarkers that differentiate between intakes of red meat and dairy, to validate previously reported BFIs for these foods, and to explore the effect of protein-matched meals on selected microbial metabolites. Methods: We conducted a randomized, controlled, cross-over single-meal study comparing a meal with highly fermented yogurt and cheese, and a meal with beef and pork meatballs. Postprandial urine samples from 17 subjects were collected sequentially after each meal up to 24 h and analyzed by untargeted metabolomics through ultra-high-performance-liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled via electrospray (ESI) source to a qTOF mass spectrometer. Univariate (repeated measures ANOVA) and multivariate (PLSDA, ML-PLSDA) data analyses were used to select BFIs differentiating the two meals. 3-Indoxyl sulfate, p-cresol sulfate, and several other microbial amino acid catabolites were additionally explored within the urine profiles. Results: Thirty-eight markers of meat and dairy intake were selected and are presented along with their excretion kinetics. Carnosine, taurine, and creatine, as well as hydroxyproline-based dipeptides are confirmed as meat BFIs. For dairy, previously reported metabolites such as acyl-glycines are confirmed, while proline-based dipeptides are reported as novel putative BFIs. Microbial metabolites showed only marginal evidence of differential formation after the two meals. Conclusion: This study allowed us to validate the postprandial kinetics of previously suggested biomarkers of meat and dairy intake and to identify new potential biomarkers. The excretion kinetics are useful to ensure that the collection of urine covers the correct time window in future dietary studies. The BFIs add to the existing body of biomarkers and may further be used in combination to provide a more reliable assessment of meat and dairy intake. Proteolytic microbial metabolites should be further investigated to assess the effect of different protein sources on health.

Lifestyle and risk factors associated with elevated prostate-specific antigen levels in rural men: implications for health counseling.

Background: The use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) is common but controversial. In rural areas, PSA is widely used for screening because it is convenient and early-stage PCa often shows no symptoms. Studies suggest that PSA levels are linked to factors like unhealthy lifestyles, obesity, lack of exercise, inflammation, and aging. Proper use and interpretation of PSA are crucial for healthcare providers, especially in primary care settings. This study aims to explore the prevalence and factors linked to higher PSA levels in rural men. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from March to December 2023 in the western coastal region of Taiwan. Men aged 40-75 years participated, completing a lifestyle questionnaire and providing blood samples for cardiometabolic biomarkers and PSA levels. PSA levels of ≥ 4.0 ng/mL were considered elevated. We used propensity score matching (PSM) and genetic matching (GM) for analysis, followed by regression analysis. Results: In total, 3347 male adults with a mean age of 56.3 years (SD=11.8, range 40-75), and without cancer-related diseases, were enrolled. Findings indicated that 3.9% (n=130) of men aged 40-75 years had a PSA ≥ 4 ng/mL. and many of them did not adopt health-related behaviors, including inadequate servings of vegetables, water intake, and engaging in regular exercise. Furthermore, more than half of the participants had high blood pressure, and over one-quarter exhibited a higher waist-hip ratio and cardiometabolic diseases. After employing propensity score matching (PSM) and genetic matching (GM) with respect to age and education, the multivariate logistic regression model indicated that less water intake (p<0.01), higher waist-hip ratio (> 0.95) (p<0.05), and being diagnosed with cardiometabolic diseases (p<0.05) were significantly associated with a higher serum PSA level. Conclusion: This study revealed that inadequate water intake and obesity related diseases are significant risk factors associated with elevated PSA levels among male adults living in rural areas. It is important for frontline healthcare providers to carefully interpret the meaning of a high PSA level. Additionally, launching a longitudinal study is necessary to further investigate its relation to PCa.

A matter of the metric? Sugar content overestimation is less pronounced in sugar cubes versus grams.

To make healthy food choices, consumers need to be aware of the sugar content of foods. Units act as an environmental cue that might influence sugar content estimation accuracy. The present study (1) tested whether estimations of sugar content are more accurate in sugar cubes vs grams, (2) compared accuracy of sugar content to estimations of the foods' weight and energy content, and (3) investigated gender, education, and body mass index as potential correlates. A sample of 886 adults was randomly assigned to estimating the sugar content of 10 common foods in grams or cubes. Estimations of sugar content diverged considerably from actual values in both groups (0.22 ≤ Cohen's dsgrams ≤ 1.20; 0.20 ≤ Cohen's dscubes ≤ 1.10), but were more pronounced for sugar content estimations in grams in 7 out of 10 foods (ts ≥ 4.04, Ps < .001, Cohen's ds ≥ 0.14). Sugar content misestimation was somewhat more pronounced than misestimation of weight (0.05 ≤ Cohen's ds ≤ 1.43) and energy content (0.04 ≤ Cohen's ds ≤ 1.19). Relationships between sugar content misestimation and gender (0.00 ≤ Cohen's ds ≤ 0.33), education (-0.07 ≤ r ≤ 0.11), and body mass index (-0.08 ≤ r ≤ 0.06) were mostly negligible. Although sugar content estimations were somewhat more accurate in sugar cubes vs grams, estimation accuracy is generally low. In addition to promoting consumers' knowledge through labeling and education, additional avenues for interventions might need to be explored for sizeable effects on food choices.

Consequences of acute and long-term excessive iodine intake: A literature review focusing on seaweed as a potential dietary iodine source.

Macroalgae, also called seaweed, are becoming more widespread as food in Western diets. Seaweed can accumulate iodine, an essential nutrient for humans. However, some species of seaweed may contain very high amounts of iodine, and therefore, iodine has been identified as one of the major hazards in the seaweed food chain. Macroalgae may be consumed regularly, though many consumers report eating macroalgae only occasionally. The aim of this paper is to explore possible health consequences of excessive iodine intake according to long-term (chronic) or occasional (acute) excessive exposure to iodine, relating to a regular (chronic) or occasional (acute) seaweed intake, respectively. Furthermore, through a modeling exercise, we add different amounts of seaweed to the diet in a population group to explore the possible safe amounts that can be added without exceeding excessive iodine intakes and risking detrimental health effects. Chronic excessive iodine intakes were associated with several negative health outcomes at variable doses in various studies. For acute excessive iodine exposure, negative health effects seemed to be associated with higher iodine exposures. However, the research on this topic was limited. The chronic and acute iodine exposures needed to result in negative health outcomes may easily be ingested by macroalgae consumption. Adding seaweed to the diet must be done thoughtfully to avoid the risk of exceeding thresholds for excessive iodine intake.

Stimulation of kappa opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens promotes feeding behavior in mice: Acute restoration of feeding during anorexia induced by 5-fluorouracil.

Though µ and δ opioid receptors are reported to regulate energy homeostasis, any role for κ opioid receptors in these processes remains unclear. The present study investigated the role of κ opioid receptors in regulation of feeding behavior and plasma glucose levels using nalfurafine, a κ opioid receptor agonist used clinically. Systemic injection of nalfurafine increased food intake under non-fasted conditions, but not after food deprivation, and this effect was inhibited by the κ opioid receptor antagonist norbinaltorphimine. In contrast, nalfurafine did not affect plasma glucose levels. I.c.v. injection of nalfurafine increased food intake, whereas systemic injection of nalfurafine methiodide, which does not penetrate the blood brain barrier, was without effect. In addition, nalfurafine tended to increase preproorexin mRNA in the hypothalamus. However, neither the orexin OX1 receptor antagonist YNT-1310 nor the non-selective orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant inhibited the increase in food intake induced by nalfurafine. While nalfurafine injected into the lateral hypothalamus did not affect food intake, nalfurafine injected into the nucleus accumbens increased food intake, which was inhibited by norbinaltorphimine. Finally, we examined the effect of nalfurafine on anorexia induced by the anti-cancer agent 5-fluorouracil. Reduced food intake at 2 days following 5-fluorouracil administration was alleviated across the first 3 h following daily injection of nalfurafine, though daily food intake was not influenced. These results indicate that nalfurafine promotes feeding behavior through stimulation of κ opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens and may be a candidate for reducing anorexia due to anti-cancer agents.

Effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on amount of salt intake in pregnant women with PreHypertension.

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension is one of the common disorders during pregnancy. Reducing salt intake is among the best cost-effective interventions to reduce the risk of hypertension. The present study aimed to explore the effect of an educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on amount of salt consumed by prehypertensive pregnant women. METHODS: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 on 61 prehypertensive pregnant women visiting the Comprehensive Health Services Centers in Birjand, Iran. Pregnant women were selected through a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. A blood pressure test and a 24-hour urine test were taken in 3 stages (before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention). A reliable and valid questionnaire based on the TPB was used to measure the cognitive variables. The intervention program included three training sessions based on the TPB held on an online platform (WhatsApp social network). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and longitudinal marginal model with the GEE approach in SPSS19. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at p < 0 0.05. RESULTS: After intervention, the mean score of perceived behavioral control (p = 0.02), intention (p = 0.004), and salt consumption behavior (p = 0.03) increased significantly in the intervention group, and the mean score of systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) decreased significantly in this group. In the control group, a statistically significant difference was observed in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the subjects (p < 0.01). However, the score of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention, salt consumption behavior and the daily salt intake did not show a statistically significant difference over time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings showed that the perceived behavioral control, intention, behavior, systolic and diastolic blood pressure can be modifiable variables to improve the amount of salt consumed by pre-hypertensive pregnant women. Therefore, we recommend that the present model be used to develop interventions to improve health indicators in pregnant women as a highly susceptible group in society.

Higher docosahexaenoic acid proportions in blood are inversely associated with the prevalence of prediabetes: Evidence from the UK Biobank.

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus are growing global health concerns, predisposing individuals to various vascular complications. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary interventions, offer promising avenues for prevention and management. Using a multivariable-adjusted model, we analyzed the cross-sectional associations between plasma proportions (% of total fatty acids) of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFA, including total n3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], non-DHA n3 PUFA), and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as well as the prevalence of prediabetes in a sample from the UK Biobank cohort. Our hypothesis was that proportions of n3 PUFA, especially DHA, would by inversely associated with the prediabetes prevalence. The sample (n = 92,762; 54.5% females) had an average age of 56 years and was overweight (mean body mass index = 27). The mean plasma DHA proportion in the sample was 2.03% (standard deviation [SD] = 0.67%), non-DHA n3 PUFA was 2.41% (SD = 1.02%) and total n3 PUFA was 4.43% (SD = 1.56%). Prediabetic individuals were identified by blood HbA1c proportions between 5.7% and 6.4% (39-46 mmol/mol) according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Each of the three n3 PUFA biomarkers was inversely associated with HbA1c proportions. In particular, DHA showed the strongest inverse association, with an OR of 0.62 (95% confidence intervals: 0.58, 0.67; P < .001) when comparing quintiles 5 to 1 in a fully adjusted model. These findings suggest a potential protective role of n3 PUFA, particularly DHA, in mitigating the risk of having prediabetes. Further prospective investigations are needed to clarify whether long-chain n3 PUFA could function as modifiable factors for prediabetes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cow-level factors affecting milk urea nitrogen and urinary nitrogen output under pasture-based diets.

With dairy cattle farming under pressure to lower its environmental footprint it is important to find effective on-farm proxies for evaluation and monitoring of management practices aimed at reducing the risk of nitrogen (N) losses and optimizing N use efficiency of dairy farm systems. Urinary N (UN) is regarded as the most potent source of N emissions. In contrast to confinement systems, there have been few studies from pasture-based systems associating on-farm animal and nutritional factors with UN output. Thus, the aims of this meta-analysis were to collate a database from pasture-based research to: (a) investigate the associations of management, dietary, and animal variables with MUN concentration, and daily UN output; (b) describe the MUN-UN association; and (c) assess whether animal, management, and dietary factors influence the relationship. We developed a data set consisting of 95 observations representing 919 lactating dairy cattle fed pasture-based diets, which was compiled from 32 unique research publications that reported both MUN and UN output. Multi-level, mixed meta-analysis regression techniques were used to analyze the data. Initially, all variables were assessed as the sole fixed effect in a 2-level random effects model, accounting for within publication heterogeneity. Meta-regression techniques were then used to assess the relationship of all variables with MUN and UN output, respectively, accounting for 3 sources of variability: the sampling error of the individual observation, within publication heterogeneity, and among publication heterogeneity. At the univariable level, despite more than 10 dietary, animal, or management variables being significantly associated with MUN, none explained a large amount of the MUN variation. The variables that explained the greatest amount of variation were dietary crude protein (CP) content and the nitrogen: metabolizable energy content ratio, which explained about 33% and 31% of the variation in MUN concentrations, respectively. Combining factors in multiple regressions improved the model fit, such that the variation within publications explained by dietary CP and N intake increased to 40.0% in the final multiple meta-regression model. For UN output, individual variables explained a greater proportion of variance reported among observations, compared with MUN, whereby diet CP content (pseudo R2 = 66.1%), N to metabolizable energy intake ratio (pseudo R2 = 64.0%), N intake (pseudo R2 = 58.3%), and MUN (pseudo R2 = 43.5%) explained the greatest amount of the total variation. Milk urea nitrogen, N intake and dry matter intake were associated with UN output in the final multiple meta-regression model. Substantial heterogeneity existed in both MUN and UN among publications, with among publication heterogeneity accounting for 73.4% of all the variation noted in MUN, and 88.6% of all the variation in UN output. As such, the meta-analyses could not predict MUN and UN to any great extent. It is recommended that a consistent approach to measuring and reporting MUN concentrations and UN output is carried out for all future research in pasture-based systems.

Plastics in human diets: development and evaluation of the 24-h Dietary Recall - Plastic Exposure and the Dietary Plastics Score.

Background: Humans are commonly exposed to plastic through their dietary intake and food consumption patterns. Plastic-associated chemicals (PAC), such as bisphenols and phthalates, are recognized as endocrine-disrupting and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. However, accurate methods to assess dietary exposure to plastic products and PAC are inadequate, limiting interrogation of health impacts. Aim: To develop a tool that captures complete dietary exposure to plastics and establish a diet quality score to measure adherence to a low plastic dietary pattern. Methods: We developed the 24-h Dietary Recall - Plastic Exposure (24DR-PE) and administered it to healthy adults (n = 422). This computer-assisted, interviewer-administered tool systematically collects data on food volumes and types, packaging materials, storage, processing, cooking, and consumption methods to assess a food's exposure to plastic. Specifically, the 24DR-PE incorporates predefined criteria for identifying high-risk practices and food characteristics, such as individually packaged items or those microwaved in plastic, enabling the assignment of scores based on a theoretically derived Dietary Plastics Scoring Matrix. Conclusion: The 24DR-PE is the first tool specifically designed to capture detailed data on dietary exposures to plastic products. The next step is to validate the score using laboratory results of urine samples we collected contemporaneous to the dietary information. Once validated, the tool has potential for widespread distribution making it valuable for population monitoring, intervention guidance, and future research investigating the interplay between plastics, diet, and human health.

Preferences for drinking water temperature in mice vary with ambient temperature.

Temperature detection and temperature preference are critical for the maintenance of thermal homeostasis and protection from noxious temperature. Methods to measure the time spent on plates of different temperatures such as the two-plate test and thermal-gradient test are generally used to evaluate temperature preference. In this study, we established a temperature preference test that assesses water drinking behavior by modifying the two-bottle taste preference test. We found that mice in a common-temperature environment of 23 °C avoid drinking water more than 40 °C. While mice in a common-temperature environment preferred 10 °C and 30 °C water equally, mice in a hot environment at 35 °C preferred to 10 °C water compared to 30 °C water. Moreover, mice in a cold environment of 10 °C did not avoid drinking 40 °C water compared to 10 °C water. From these results, the temperature preference test that we developed could be used to evaluate temperature preference owing to the ambient temperature changes.

Traces of the past: assessing the impact of potentially toxic elements from an abandoned mine on groundwater and agricultural soil in San Luis Potosí, México.

The study was conducted in Cerritos, San Luis Potosí, México, near the Guaxcama mine, focused on environmental contamination (groundwater and agricultural soil) from antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). In March 2022, 20 agricultural soil and 16 groundwater samples were collected near the historically cinnabar (HgS)- and arsenopyrite (FeAsS)-rich Guaxcama mine. Hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) for As, cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS) for Hg, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for Cd, Pb, and Sb were used for the determinations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). While concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb, and Sb in groundwater were below detection limits, As levels exhibited a range from 40.9 ± 1.4 to 576.0 ± 1.0 µg/L, exceeding permissible limits for drinking water (10 µg/L). In agricultural soil, As was between 7.67 ± 0.16 and 24.1 ± 0.4 µg/g, Hg ranged from 0.203 ± 0.018 to 2.33 ± 0.19 µg/g, Cd from 2.53 ± 0.90 to 2.78 ± 0.01 µg/g, and Pb from 11.7 ± 1.2 to 34.3 ± 4.1 µg/g. Only one study area surpassed the Mexican As soil limit of 22 µg/g. Sequential extraction (four-step BCR procedure) indicated significant As bioavailability in soil (fractions 1 and 2) ranging from 3.66 to 10.36%, heightening the risk of crop transfer, in contrast to the low bioavailability of Hg, showing that fractions 1, 2, and 3 were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Crucial physicochemical parameters in soil, including nitrate levels, pH, and organic matter, were pivotal in understanding contamination dynamics. Principal component analysis highlighted the influence of elements like Fe and Ca on phytoavailable As, while Pb and Cd likely originated from a common source. Ecological risk assessments underscored the significant impact of pollution, primarily due to the concentrations of Cd and Hg. Non-cancer and cancer risks to residents through As poisoning via contaminated water ingestion also were found. The hazard index (HI) values varied between 4.0 and 82.2 for adults and children. The total incremental lifetime cancer risk (TILCAR) values for adults ranged from 7.75E - 04 to 1.06E - 02, whereas for children, the values were from 2.47E - 04 to 3.17E - 03.

A Comparative Study of Bone-Health and Associated Factors in Healthy Indian Adolescents and Young Women.

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical period for the accrual of bone mass. However, few studies have assessed the bone geometry in slum-dwelling girls/young women. We thus conducted this study: (1) to assess bone health in Indian adolescent girls and young women residing in slum vs nonslum (NS) areas and (2) to identify factors associated with poor bone health. Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was performed on 110 apparently healthy unmarried, nonpregnant, nonlactating, postmenarchal adolescent girls and young women aged 11 to 24 years residing in urban slums with the same number of age-matched controls from NS areas. Anthropometric, dietary, physical-activity and bone-health parameters (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography-DXA and pQCT-respectively) were evaluated using standard protocols. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Slum girls were significantly shorter and lighter and had lower dietary intakes of calcium and protein after adjusting for total daily calorie intake than NS girls (P < 0.05). Areal bone-mineral density (BMD) at lumber spine (0.940 ± 0.13 vs1.042 ± 0.15 g/cm2), femur and total body (less-head), bone-mineral apparent density adjusted for volume at the lumbar spine (0.295 ± 0.04 vs 0.319 ± 0.04 g/cm3) and height-adjusted bone density at femur (0.862 ± 0.011 vs 0.905 ± 0.011 g/cm2) were significantly lower in slum dwelling participants as compared to their NS counterparts (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounders like sunlight exposure, anthropometric parameters and dietary calcium intake, area of dwelling was still a significant factor for the difference in BMD. Conclusions: The potential determinants of poor bone density and geometry in girls and young women residing in slums include residential location, dietary habits, and physical activity levels. Despite adjustments for confounding factors, differences in bone health between those in slum and nonslum areas suggest adaptations developed over generations of deprivation in these individuals, necessitating urgent intervention.

Causal relationship between green tea intake and gastrointestinal disorders: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The precise association between green tea intake and gastrointestinal disorders remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the potential causal association between green tea intake and gastrointestinal disorders through a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Methods: Utilizing publicly accessible data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we identified SNPs strongly linked with the study variables from multiple large databases to serve as instrumental variables (IVs). MR analyses were executed utilizing the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method, with the resultant effect estimates serving as the primary outcome measure. In addition, a multivariate MR design was performed to adjust for smoking and alcohol consumption. To ensure the robustness of our findings, a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess reliability. Results: Univariable MR analysis revealed suggestive associations between green tea intake and gastroesophageal reflux (OR = 0.9950, 95% CI 0.9900-1.0000, p IVW = 0.047), diverticulosis (OR = 0.9998, 95% CI 0.9996-1.0000, p IVW = 0.030), Crohn's disease (OR = 1.0001, 95% CI 1.0000-1.0002, p IVW = 0.019), and cholangitis was observed (OR = 1.0440, 95% CI 1.0100-1.0790, p IVW = 0.011). Multivariate MR analysis indicated after controlling for potential confounders, greater green tea consumption was suggestively associated with the decreased risk of oesophagitis (OR = 0.9667, 95% CI: 0.9405-0.9936, p IVW = 0.016) and gastric cancer (OR = 0.9810, 95% CI: 0.9628-0.9996, p IVW = 0.046). Nevertheless, multivariate MR analysis also showed that greater green tea consumption was suggestively associated with the increased risk of Crohn's disease (OR = 1.0001, 95% CI: 1.0000-1.0002, p IVW = 0.007). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that these results were reliable. Conclusion: Our study provides suggestive evidence that genetically predicted green tea intake is causally associated with the risk of oesophagitis, gastric cancer and Crohn's disease, but a larger GWAS database is needed for validation.