Multisource information fusion method for vegetable disease detection.

Automated detection and identification of vegetable diseases can enhance vegetable quality and increase profits. Images of greenhouse-grown vegetable diseases often feature complex backgrounds, a diverse array of diseases, and subtle symptomatic differences. Previous studies have grappled with accurately pinpointing lesion positions and quantifying infection degrees, resulting in overall low recognition rates. To tackle the challenges posed by insufficient validation datasets and low detection and recognition rates, this study capitalizes on the geographical advantage of Shouguang, renowned as the "Vegetable Town," to establish a self-built vegetable base for data collection and validation experiments. Concentrating on a broad spectrum of fruit and vegetable crops afflicted with various diseases, we conducted on-site collection of greenhouse disease images, compiled a large-scale dataset, and introduced the Space-Time Fusion Attention Network (STFAN). STFAN integrates multi-source information on vegetable disease occurrences, bolstering the model's resilience. Additionally, we proposed the Multilayer Encoder-Decoder Feature Fusion Network (MEDFFN) to counteract feature disappearance in deep convolutional blocks, complemented by the Boundary Structure Loss function to guide the model in acquiring more detailed and accurate boundary information. By devising a detection and recognition model that extracts high-resolution feature representations from multiple sources, precise disease detection and identification were achieved. This study offers technical backing for the holistic prevention and control of vegetable diseases, thereby advancing smart agriculture. Results indicate that, on our self-built VDGE dataset, compared to YOLOv7-tiny, YOLOv8n, and YOLOv9, the proposed model (Multisource Information Fusion Method for Vegetable Disease Detection, MIFV) has improved mAP by 3.43%, 3.02%, and 2.15%, respectively, showcasing significant performance advantages. The MIFV model parameters stand at 39.07 M, with a computational complexity of 108.92 GFLOPS, highlighting outstanding real-time performance and detection accuracy compared to mainstream algorithms. This research suggests that the proposed MIFV model can swiftly and accurately detect and identify vegetable diseases in greenhouse environments at a reduced cost.

A longitudinal study on the bacterial quality of baby spinach cultivated in Arizona and California.

In the U.S., baby spinach is mostly produced in Arizona (AZ) and California (CA). Characterizing the impact of growing region on the bacterial quality of baby spinach can inform quality management practices in industry. Between December 2021 and December 2022, baby spinach was sampled after harvest and packaging for microbiological testing, including shelf-life testing of packaged samples that were stored at 4°C. Samples were tested to (i) determine bacterial concentration, and (ii) obtain and identify bacterial isolates. Packaged samples from the Salinas, CA, area (n = 13), compared to those from the Yuma, AZ, area (n = 9), had a significantly higher bacterial concentration, on average, by 0.78 log10 CFU/g (P < 0.01, based on aerobic, mesophilic plate count data) or 0.67 log10 CFU/g (P < 0.01, based on psychrotolerant plate count data); the bacterial concentrations of harvest samples from the Yuma and Salinas areas were not significantly different. Our data also support that an increase in preharvest temperature is significantly associated with an increase in the bacterial concentration on harvested and packaged spinach. A Fisher's exact test and linear discriminant analysis (effect size), respectively, demonstrated that (i) the genera of 2,186 bacterial isolates were associated (P < 0.01) with growing region and (ii) Pseudomonas spp. and Exiguobacterium spp. were enriched in spinach from the Yuma and Salinas areas, respectively. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that growing region and preharvest temperature may impact the bacterial quality of spinach and thus could inform more targeted strategies to manage produce quality. IMPORTANCE: In the U.S., most spinach is produced in Arizona (AZ) and California (CA) seasonally; typically, spinach is cultivated in the Yuma, AZ, area during the winter and in the Salinas, CA, area during the summer. As the bacterial quality of baby spinach can influence consumer acceptance of the product, it is important to assess whether the bacterial quality of baby spinach can vary between spinach-growing regions. The findings of this study provide insights that could be used to support region-specific quality management strategies for baby spinach. Our results also highlight the value of further evaluating the impact of growing region and preharvest temperature on the bacterial quality of different produce commodities.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria contaminating leafy vegetables in Saudi Arabia's eastern region.

BACKGROUND: Food-associated antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause infections that may critically impact human health. The objectives of this study were to determine the microbial contamination level of green leafy vegetables and their antibiotic resistance pattern. METHODS: Sixty-three samples of leafy vegetables were collected from Dammam Central Fruit and Vegetables Market from January to June 2023. The vegetables included lettuce (Lactuca sativa), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), and watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Samples were tested by standard microbiological techniques for identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. RESULT: Eight types of bacteria belonging to six different genera were detected. Enterobacteriaceae family was represented by four genera: Klebsiella, Proteus, Morganella, and Enterobacter. The other two genera were Pseudomonas and Aeromonas. Enterobacter cloacae was the most abundant organism, followed by Pseudomonas putida and Aeromonas sobria. On the other hand, Morganella morganii, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Proteus mirabilis were the least abundant. The three vegetable types had different levels of bacterial contamination. All isolated organisms were sensitive to penicillin, cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, and fluoroquinolone. However, Klebsiella oxytoca, M. morganii, and K. pneumonia showed resistance to ampicillin. A. hydrophila, Morganella morganii, and E. cloacae showed resistance to amoxicillin. M. morganii and E. cloacae were found to be resistant to cefalotin. Moreover, A. hydrophila, M. morganii, and E. cloacae were resistant to cefoxitin. Again, A. hydrophila was found to be resistant to imipenem. Only M. morganii was resistant to Ciprofloxacin. Two isolates, P. mirabilis and M. morganii were resistant to tigecycline. Another two, M. morganii and P. mirabilis were resistant to Nitrofurantoin. Only M. morganii was found to be resistant to trimethoprim. CONCLUSION: This study aligns with the broad consensus in the literature about the significance of bacterial contamination in vegetables and the public health implications. The unique focus on antibiotic resistance patterns adds an essential dimension to the existing body of knowledge.

Lactational transfer of sulforaphane-N-acetylcysteine in vivo and in human breast milk.

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a bioactive phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables. There is a lack of detailed information on the lactational transfer of SFN and SFN metabolites, and potential pharmacological effects on breastfeeding infants. We carried out two maternal supplementation studies in a mouse model, wherein lactating dams received either vehicle, 300 or 600 ppm SFN from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 5, or in a second experiment, vehicle or 600 ppm SFN from PND 1 to 14. The parent compound was only detectable in milk and plasma from dams receiving 600 ppm SFN for five days. The predominant metabolite SFN-N-acetylcysteine (SFN-NAC) was readily detected in milk from dams receiving 300 and 600 ppm SFN for five days or 600 ppm for 14 days. Maternal SFN-NAC plasma levels were elevated in both 600 ppm groups. Maternal hepatic and pulmonary expression of NRF2-related genes, Nqo1, Gsta2, Gstm1, and Gstp1, were significantly increased, generally following a dose-response; however, offspring induction varied. PND5 neonates in the 600-ppm group exhibited significantly elevated expression of Nqo1, Gsta2, and Gstp1 in liver, and Gstm1 and Gstp1 in lung. Findings support maternal dietary supplementation with SFN induces NRF2-related gene expression in neonates via lactational transfer of SFN-NAC. However, NQO1 enzyme activity was not significantly elevated, highlighting the need to optimize dosing strategy. Additionally, in a pilot investigation of lactating women consuming a typical diet, without any purified SFN supplementation, 7 out of 8 breast milk samples showed SFN-NAC above the limit of quantification (LOQ). Notably, the one sample below the LOQ was collected from the only participant who reported no consumption of cruciferous vegetables in the past 24 h. The parent compound was not detected in any of the human breast milk samples. Overall, these data indicate lactational transfer of SFN-NAC at dietary relevant levels. Future studies are needed to evaluate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lactational transfer for potential preventive or therapeutic effects in breastfeeding children.

Lower Diet Quality Associated with Subclinical Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Healthy United States Adults.

BACKGROUND: Higher diet quality has been associated with lower risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease, but associations between diet and gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation in healthy adults prior to disease onset are understudied. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project was to examine associations between reported dietary intake and markers of GI inflammation in a healthy adult human cohort. METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational trial of 358 healthy adults, participants completed ≤3 unannounced 24-h dietary recalls using the Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool and a Block 2014 Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess recent and habitual intake, respectively. Those who provided a stool sample were included in this analysis. Inflammation markers from stool, including calprotectin, neopterin, and myeloperoxidase, were measured by ELISA along with LPS-binding protein from plasma. RESULTS: Recent and habitual fiber intake was negatively correlated with fecal calprotectin concentrations (n = 295, P = 0.011, 0.009). Habitual soluble fiber intake was also negatively correlated with calprotectin (P = 0.01). Recent and habitual legume and vegetable intake was negatively correlated with calprotectin (P = 0.013, 0.026, 0.01, 0.009). We observed an inverse correlation between recent Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and calprotectin concentrations (n = 295, P = 0.026). Dietary Inflammatory Index scores were calculated and positively correlated with neopterin for recent intake (n = 289, P = 0.015). When participants with clinically elevated calprotectin were excluded, recent and habitual fiber, legume, vegetable, and fruit intake were negatively correlated with calprotectin (n = 253, P = 0.00001, 0.0002, 0.045, 0.001, 0.009, 0.001, 0.004, 0.014). Recent total HEI score was inversely correlated with subclinical calprotectin (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Higher diet quality may be protective against GI inflammation even in healthy adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02367287.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake Patterns, Kidney Failure, and Mortality in Adults with and without Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) are vital components of healthy diets but may be restricted in chronic kidney disease (CKD) to avoid high-potassium intake. We previously generated F&V patterns for patients in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and demonstrated an increased prevalence of the overall low-intake pattern in patients with CKD. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of F&V patterns (overall low intake, high unprocessed, moderate processed, and high ultraprocessed) with the risk of kidney failure and its composite with death. METHODS: Adults in NHANES III with valid dietary data and longitudinal follow-up for kidney failure and death were included. F&V patterns were identified using 24-h dietary recalls and latent class analysis, yielding 4 patterns. Cox models were used to evaluate the prospective association between each pattern and hazard of kidney failure or a composite of kidney failure or death over ≤20 y. Models were adjusted for demographics and select comorbidities and weighted for the complex survey design. Secondary analyses evaluated serum carotenoids as objective biomarkers of F&V intake. RESULTS: Among 16,726 eligible participants in NHANES III, F&V consumption consistent with the high-ultraprocessed pattern associated with the highest risk of kidney failure after demographic and comorbidity adjustment, but attenuated with adjustment for kidney function. The high unprocessed pattern associated with the lowest adjusted risk of death or kidney failure combined [hazard ratio (HR): 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65, 0.81 relative to overall low intake]. Higher-serum carotenoids were associated with a lower adjusted risk of death or kidney failure combined (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.65 for quartile 4 compared with quartile 1). Results were similar in patients with CKD at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of unprocessed F&Vs was associated with better outcomes in the general population and patients with CKD. Results emphasize the need to safely improve F&V intake in CKD.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Risk of Disabling Dementia: Japan Public Health Center Disabling Dementia Study.

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetables contain abundant amounts of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, α-carotene, and ß-carotene. Few prospective observational studies have investigated the effects of fruit and vegetable intake on the risk of dementia, and the results are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to examine associations between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of disabling dementia. METHODS: We conducted a follow-up survey within the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study involving 42,643 individuals aged 50-79 y at baseline (2000-2003). Dietary fruit and vegetable intakes and related antioxidant vitamin intakes (i.e., α-carotene, ß-carotene, and vitamin C) were determined using a food frequency questionnaire. The diagnosis of disabling dementia was made based on the daily living disability status related to dementia under the Japanese long-term care insurance program from 2006 to 2016. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for disabling dementia were estimated using area-stratified Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 4994 cases of disabling dementia were recorded. We observed an inverse association between total fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of dementia among males and females: the multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest compared with lowest quartiles of intake were 0.87 (0.76, 0.99) (P- trend = 0.05) among males and 0.85 (0.76, 0.94) (P- trend = 0.006) among females. Among antioxidant vitamins, vitamin C intake was inversely associated with the risk of dementia among males and females: the multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest compared with lowest quartiles of intake were 0.71 (0.61, 0.84) (P- trend < 0.0001) among males, and 0.76 (0.67, 0.86) (P- trend < 0.0001) among females. CONCLUSIONS: Fruit and vegetable intake and dietary intake of vitamin C may contribute to reducing the risk of disabling dementia among males and females.

The Effect of Dietary Nitrate on the Oral Microbiome and Salivary Biomarkers in Individuals with High Blood Pressure.

BACKGROUND: Green leafy vegetables (GLV) contain inorganic nitrate, an anion with potential prebiotic effects on the oral microbiome. However, it remains unclear whether GLV and pharmacological supplementation [potassium nitrate (PN)] with a nitrate salt induce similar effects on the oral microbiome. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the effect of GLV with PN supplementation on the oral microbiome composition and salivary biomarkers in individuals with high blood pressure. METHODS: Seventy individuals were randomly allocated to 3 different groups to follow a 5-wk dietary intervention. Group 1 consumed 300 mg/d of nitrate in form of GLV. Group 2 consumed pills with 300 mg/d of PN and low-nitrate vegetables. Group 3 consumed pills with potassium chloride (placebo: PLAC) and low-nitrate vegetables. The oral microbiome composition and salivary biomarkers of oral health were analyzed before and after the dietary intervention. RESULTS: The GLV and PN groups showed similar microbial changes, probably nitrate-dependent, including an increase in the abundance of Neisseria, Capnocytophaga, Campylobacter species, and a decrease in Veillonella, Megasphaera, Actinomyces, and Eubacterium species after the treatment. Increased abundance of Rothia species, and reduced abundance of Streptococcus, Prevotella, Actinomyces, and Mogibacterium species were observed in the GLV group, which could be nitrate-independent. GLV and PN treatments increased salivary pH, but only GLV treatment showed an increase in the salivary buffering capacity and a reduction of lactate. CONCLUSION: The combination of nitrate-dependent and nitrate-independent microbial changes in the GLV group has a stronger effect to potentially improve oral health biomarkers compared with PN.

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption prevents dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is often associated with impaired immune responses, including enlarged spleen, increased inflammation, and impaired T cell-mediated function, which may lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Bioactive compounds found in various fruits and vegetables (F&V) have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, few prospective studies have examined the effects of F&V on preventing obesity-associated dysregulation of immune and inflammatory responses. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of different levels of a mixture of F&V incorporated in a high-fat diet (HFD) on immune function changes in a diet-induced obesity animal model. METHODS: Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of five groups (n = 12/group): matched low-fat control (LF, 10% kcal fat) or high-fat diet (HFD, 45% kcal fat) supplemented with 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% (wt/wt) freeze-dried powder of the most consumed F&V (human equivalent of 0, 3, 5-7, 8-9 servings/d, respectively) for 20 weeks. Spleen weight was recorded, and the immunophenotype of splenocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry. Ex vivo splenic lymphocyte proliferation was assessed by thymidine incorporation and serum cytokines were measured by Meso Scale Discovery. RESULTS: Mice fed the HFD had significantly higher spleen weight, decreased splenic CD8+ lymphocytes, suppressed T lymphocyte proliferation, and reduced serum IL-1ß and IFN-γ levels compared to those fed the LF diet. Feeding mice with the HFD supplemented with 10% or 15% F&V restored HFD-associated changes of these affected biomarkers compared to those fed HFD only. Further, a significant correlation was found between immunological markers and F&V level. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased consumption of F&V has beneficial effects in preventing HFD-associated dysregulation of immune function.

Towards the Development of a Smart Detergent with Enhanced Safety and Efficiency for Pesticide Residue Removal from Fruits and Vegetables.

The research focused on the development and evaluation of special detergents for washing fruits and vegetables, with the primary emphasis on removing pesticide residues. The research aimed to improve food safety and meet consumer preferences for effective cleaning of food products. Using the cloud point characteristic of non-ionic surfactants, a 'smart' detergent was developed to adapt to typical washing conditions. Optimization of the detergent system composition was conducted and the properties of the surfactant system in relation to the cloud point were investigated to highlight the importance of precise control over detergent behavior in response to temperature changes. The physicochemical properties study of the model washing baths included surface tension, aggregate size, solubilization properties, and foaming ability. A model detergent, tailored for both cleaning efficacy and safety against the skin, was developed. Washing efficacy tests demonstrated the superior ability of the designed detergent to remove pesticide residues, eliminating consumer concerns and promoting healthier and safer food consumption. The conducted research paves the way for innovative and safe detergents for washing fruits and vegetables, thereby increasing food safety and consumer satisfaction.

Visualizing the structural and chemical heterogeneity of fruit and vegetables using advanced imaging techniques: fundamentals, instrumental aspects, applications and future perspectives.

Fruit and vegetables (F&V) are vastly complicated products with highly diverse chemical and structural characteristics. Advanced imaging techniques either combine imaging with spectral information or can provide excellent tissue penetration, and enable the possibility to target, visualize and even qualify the chemical and physical (structural) heterogeneity within F&V. In this review, visible and/or near infrared hyperspectral imaging, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopic imaging, Raman imaging, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging to reveal chemical and structural information in a spatial context of F&V at the macro- (entire products), meso- (tissues), and micro- (individual cells) scales are comprehensively summarized. In addition, their basic concepts and operational procedures, particularly sample preparation and instrumental parameter adjustments, are addressed. Finally, future challenges and perspectives of these techniques are put forward. These imaging techniques are powerful tools to assess the biochemical and structural heterogeneity of F&V. Cost reduction, sensor fusion and data sharing platforms are future trends. More emphasis on aspects of knowledge and extension at the level of academia and research, especially on how to select techniques, choose operational parameters and prepare samples, are important to overcome barriers for the wider adoption of these techniques to improve the evaluation of F&V quality.

Hyperspectral imaging reveals chemical heterogeneity of fruit and vegetables.Imaging techniques provide spatial insights in fruit and vegetables at multiple scales.Future trends are cost reduction, sensor fusion and data sharing.Instrumental adjustment and sample preparation should receive more attention.

Source-specific nitrate intake and all-cause mortality in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study.

INTRODUCTION: Nitrate and nitrite are naturally occurring in both plant- and animal-sourced foods, are used as additives in the processing of meat, and are found in water. There is growing evidence that they exhibit a spectrum of health effects, depending on the dietary source. The aim of the study was to examine source-dependent associations between dietary intakes of nitrate/nitrite and both all-cause and cause-specific mortality. METHODS: In 52,247 participants of the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study, associations between source-dependent nitrate and nitrite intakes--calculated using comprehensive food composition and national drinking water quality monitoring databases--and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, and cancer-related mortality over 27 years were examined using restricted cubic splines within Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary confounders. Analyses were stratified by factors hypothesised to influence the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds (namely, smoking and dietary intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and polyphenols). RESULTS: Plant-sourced nitrate intake was inversely associated with all-cause mortality [HRQ5vsQ1: 0.83 (0.80, 0.87)] while higher risks of all-cause mortality were seen for higher intakes of naturally occurring animal-sourced nitrate [1.09 (1.04, 1.14)], additive permitted meat-sourced nitrate [1.19 (1.14, 1.25)], and tap water-sourced nitrate [1.19 (1.14, 1.25)]. Similar source-dependent associations were seen for nitrite and for CVD-related and cancer-related mortality except that naturally occurring animal-sourced nitrate and tap water-sourced nitrate were not associated with cancer-related mortality and additive permitted meat-sourced nitrate was not associated with CVD-related mortality. No clear patterns emerged in stratified analyses. CONCLUSION: Nitrate/nitrite from plant sources are inversely associated while those from naturally occurring animal-sources, additive-permitted meat sources, and tap water-sources are positively associated with mortality.

Association between traditional Korean fermented vegetables (kimchi) intake and serum lipid profile: using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) cohort.

PURPOSE: Dyslipidemia is a major health issue worldwide. There is growing interest in understanding the potential role of kimchi consumption on serum lipid profiles. However, there are limited epidemiological studies available on this topic. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between kimchi intake and serum lipid profiles. METHODS: We conducted an epidemiological study on participants (aged 40-69 years old) selected from the Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort study (n = 61,761). Four types of kimchi, including Baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi), Kkakdugi (radish kimchi), Nabak kimchi/Dongchimi (a type of water kimchi made with fermented vegetables), and other kimchi, were assessed by a 106-food item semi-quantitative validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Each kimchi intake is the average value calculated from the FFQ of the baseline and follow-up surveys. Fasting blood data were obtained at baseline and follow-up visits. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between the intake of kimchi and the change in serum lipid profiles. RESULTS: The mean years between the baseline survey and a follow-up survey was 4.97 years. In this study, compared to the lowest category (< 1 serving/day), Baechu kimchi intake (2- < 3 servings/day) had more negative correlations with the change in values of total cholesterol (ß: -1.600, 95% confidence interval [CI, -2.744, -0.456]), triglycerides (ß: -3.372, 95% CI [-5.414, -1.330]), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ß: -1.155, 95% CI [-2.214, -0.095]) in women. In men, Baechu kimchi intake (2- < 3 servings/day) had a more positive correlation associated with the changes in values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ß: 0.049, 95% CI [0.031, 0.907]) compared to the lowest intake category (< 1 serving/day). CONCLUSIONS: Among Korean adults, consumption of kimchi, particularly Baechu kimchi, was found to be associated with improvements in serum lipid profiles. Further studies are required to conduct additional interventions to confirm the association between kimchi and serum lipid profiles.

Fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked vegetables consumption associated with progression trajectory of type 2 diabetes: a multi-state analysis of a prospective cohort.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked vegetables on type 2 diabetes (T2D) progression trajectory. METHODS: We included 429,886 participants in the UK Biobank who were free of diabetes and diabetes complications at baseline. Food groups were determined using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Outcomes were T2D incidence, complications, and mortality. Multi-state model was used to analyze the effects of food groups on T2D progression. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 12.6 years, 10,333 incident T2D cases were identified, of whom, 3961 (38.3%) developed T2D complications and 1169 (29.5%) died. We found that impacts of four food groups on T2D progression varied depending on disease stage. For example, compared to participants who ate less than one piece of dried fruit per day, the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for those who ate ≥ 2 pieces of dried fruit per day were 0.82 (0.77, 0.87), 0.88 (0.85, 0.92), and 0.86 (0.78, 0.95) for transitions from diabetes-free state to incident T2D, from diabetes-free state to total death, and from incident T2D to T2D complications, respectively. Higher intake of fresh fruit was significantly associated with lower risk of disease progression from diabetes-free state to all-cause death. Higher intake of raw and cooked vegetables was significantly associated with lower risks of disease progression from diabetes-free state to incident T2D and to total death. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that higher intake of fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked vegetables could be beneficial for primary and secondary prevention of T2D.

Fruits and vegetables intake and bladder cancer risk: a pooled analysis from 11 case-control studies in the BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants (BLEND) consortium.

PURPOSE: High consumption of fruits and vegetables decrease the risk of bladder cancer (BC). The evidence of specific fruits and vegetables and the BC risk is still limited. METHODS: Fruit and vegetable consumptions in relation to BC risk was examined by pooling individual participant data from case-control studies. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate study-specific odds ratio's (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and combined using a random-effects model for intakes of total fruits, total vegetables, and subgroups of fruits and vegetables. RESULTS: A total of 11 case-control studies were included, comprising 5637 BC cases and 10,504 controls. Overall, participants with the highest intakes versus the lowest intakes of fruits in total (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.68-0.91), citrus fruits (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.65-0.98), pome fruits (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.65-0.87), and tropical fruits (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73-0.94) reduced the BC risk. Greater consumption of vegetables in total, and specifically shoot vegetables, was associated with decreased BC risk (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.68-0.96 and OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.96, respectively). Substantial heterogeneity was observed for the associations between citrus fruits and total vegetables and BC risk. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive study provides compelling evidence that the consumption of fruits overall, citrus fruits, pome fruits and tropical fruits reduce the BC risk. Besides, evidence was found for an inverse association between total vegetables and shoot vegetables intake.

Non-enzymatic electrochemical impedance sensor for selective detection of electro-inactive organophosphate pesticides using Zr-MOF/ZrO2/MWCNT ternary composite.

The existence of multiple pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables constitutes a direct peril to living organisms. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a low-cost screening method for determining organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in food samples. This study describes the solvothermal synthesis of a ternary composite comprising multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), zirconium oxide, and a zirconium-metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF). The ternary composite was characterised using XRD, FESEM, FTIR, and BET. The ternary composite provides a large surface area (1158 m2/g) compared with the pristine Zr-MOF (868 m2/g). The composite-modified glassy carbon electrode was used to determine nine pesticides, including organophosphate (malathion, dimethoate, chlorpyrifos, monocrotophos, and glyphosate) and non-organophosphate (thiophanate methyl, carbendazim, atrazine, and 2,4, D). In particular, various chemical combinations of OPPs were selected, such as S-P=S, P=S, P=O, and non-OPPs such as C=S (with sulphur), and without sulphur. The sensor results show that the sensor selectivity is high for OPPs containing both phosphorus and sulphur molecules. The low detection limit of the sensor was 2.02, 2.8, 2.5, 1.11, and 2.01 nM for malathion, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, monocrotophos, and glyphosate, respectively. The electrode exhibited significant chemical stability (93%) after 100 cycles, good repeatability, and a long shelf life. The sensor is reliable for qualitative real-time applications.

Vegetable and fruit wastes: Valuable source for organic fertilizer for effective growth of short-term crops: Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum.

Agriculture plays a vital role in the food security and economies of Asian countries. Annually, numerous metric tons of vegetable and fruit wastes are disposed of. This research aimed to convert the food wastes encompassing the vegetable and fruit wastes into solid and liquid organic fertilizer and to evaluate their influence on the growth (germination, phytochemicals, and biomolecules) of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annum. Solanum lycopersicum, known as tomato, and Capsicum annum, known as bell pepper or chili pepper, are globally significant crops valued for their medicinal properties and economic importance. The pot experiment was performed with organic fertilizers (solid and liquid organic fertilizer) and compared with the influence of chemical fertilizer and control soil without fertilizers. Interestingly, the liquid organic fertilizer effectively enhanced the biometric profile and chlorophyll content of S. lycopersicum and C. annum Viz., 1.23 mg g-1 and 0.89 mg g-1, respectively. The results of a 30-days pot experiment with various fertilizer treatments showed significant influence of liquid organic fertilizer on the fresh and dry weight biomass of both S. lycopersicum and C. annum. Subsequently, the solid organic fertilizer showed considerable influence on test crops, and the influence of these organic fertilizers was more significant than the chemical fertilizer on crop growth in 30-days experiment. These results suggest that the sustainable approach can effectively convert vegetables and fruit waste into valuable organic fertilizer enriched with plant growth supporting essential nutritional elements.

The effect of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on blood pressure and lipids: a pooled analysis of six randomised controlled fruit and vegetable intervention trials.

BACKGROUND: Increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk in observational studies but with little evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The impact of concurrent pharmacological therapy is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To pool data from six RCTs to examine the effect of increasing FV intake on blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile, also exploring whether effects differed by medication use. DESIGN: Across trials, dietary intake was assessed by diet diaries or histories, lipids by routine biochemical methods and BP by automated monitors. Linear regression provided an estimate of the change in lipid profile or BP associated with a one portion increase in self-reported daily FV intake, with interaction terms fitted for medication use. RESULTS: The pooled sample included a total of 554 participants (308 males and 246 females). Meta-analysis of regression coefficients revealed no significant change in either systolic or diastolic BP per portion FV increase, although there was significant heterogeneity across trials for systolic BP (I2 = 73%). Neither adjusting for change in body mass index, nor analysis according to use of anti-hypertensive medication altered the relationship. There was no significant change in lipid profile per portion FV increase, although there was a significant reduction in total cholesterol among those not on lipid-lowering therapy (P < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSION: Pooled analysis of six individual FV trials showed no impact of increasing intake on BP or lipids, but there was a total cholesterol-lowering effect in those not on lipid-lowering therapy.

Vitamin K1 intake is associated with lower risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in community-dwelling older Australian women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Assessing the relationship between vitamin K1 intakes, using region-specific food databases, with both all-cause, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality warrants further investigation to inform future preventative strategies. Consequently, we examined the aforementioned associations in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women (PLSAW). METHODS AND RESULTS: 1436 community-dwelling older Australian women (mean ± SD age 75.2 ± 2.7 years) completed a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline (1998). Vitamin K1 intake was calculated based on an Australian vitamin K food database, supplemented with published data. All-cause and CVD mortality data was obtained from linked health records. Associations were examined using restricted cubic splines within Cox-proportional hazard models, adjusted for a range of cardiovascular and lifestyle related risk factors. Over 15 years of follow-up, 601 (41.9%) women died, with 236 deaths (16.4%) due to CVD. Compared to women with the lowest vitamin K1 intakes (Quartile 1, median 49.1 µg/day), those with the highest intakes (Quartile 4, median 119.3 µg/day) had lower relative hazards for all-cause mortality (HR 0.66 95%CI 0.51-0.86) and CVD mortality (HR 0.61 95%CI 0.41-0.92). A plateau in the inverse association was observed from vitamin K1 intakes of approximately ≥80 µg/day. CONCLUSION: Higher vitamin K1 intakes were associated with lower risk for both all-cause and CVD mortality in community-dwelling older women, independent of CVD related risk factors. A higher intake of vitamin K1 rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, may support cardiovascular health.

Dietary pattern and precocious puberty risk in Chinese girls: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The role of dietary intake on precocious puberty remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount and frequency of dietary intake and the risk of precocious puberty in Chinese girls. METHODS: In this case-control study, we enrolled 185 precocious puberty girls and 185 age-matched controls. Their dietary intake was assessed through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Their sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected. The associations between dietary intake and risk of precocious puberty were assessed by conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: After multivariate adjustment, consuming a higher amount of red meat was associated with higher precocious puberty risk (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.25-6.02), while a higher frequency of fruit ( P for trend = 0.024) and amount of vegetable intake was associated with a lower risk of precocious puberty (P for trend = 0.002). The high vegetable and protein dietary pattern was significantly negatively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63-0.97), whereas the high animal food and fruits dietary pattern was remarkably positively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09-1.69), after adjusting for age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: High vegetable and protein dietary pattern is a protective factor against precocious puberty, while high animal food and fruits dietary pattern is a risk factor for precocious puberty in Chinese girls. Attentions should be paid to a reasonable intake of red meat, eggs, and fruits in children's daily diet, increase their intake of vegetables, in order to reduce the risk of precocious puberty.