Effect of a diet rich in potato peel on platelet aggregation / Efecto de una dieta rica en cáscara de papa sobre la agregación plaquetaria

Background: Potato peel extract has demonstrated the ability to reduce platelet aggregation in vitro, suggesting its potential as a dietary intervention for preventing atherothrombotic disorders. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of a potato peel-rich diet on platelet aggregation. Methods: A randomized, crossover-controlled, open two-period study was carried out with the participation of 12 healthy volunteers. Platelet aggregation was assessed before and after a seven-day dietary intervention. Participants consumed either a diet rich in potato peel (2 g/kg/d) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as a reference (100 mg/d). Platelet aggregation percentages were measured following stimulation with arachidonic acid (AA, 150 µg/mL), adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 µM), and collagen (COL, 10 µg/mL). Results: The potato peel-rich diet resulted in a slight but significant reduction in platelet aggregation when stimulated with arachidonic acid compared to baseline values (85.0±2.0% vs. 91.3±1.7%, p<0.05). This effect was less pronounced than the reduction achieved with ASA (16±1.9%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The administration of a diet rich in potato peel reduces platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, suggesting its potential role in the prevention of atherothrombotic disorders.

Introducción: El extracto de cáscara de patata ha demostrado su capacidad para reducir la agregación plaquetaria in vitro, lo que sugiere su potencial como intervención dietética para prevenir trastornos aterotrombóticos. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de una dieta rica en cáscara de patata en la agregación plaquetaria. Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio aleatorizado, controlado, cruzado y abierto con la participación de 12 voluntarios sanos. Se evaluó la agregación plaquetaria antes y después de una intervención dietética de siete días. Los participantes consumieron una dieta rica en cáscara de patata (2 g/kg/d) o ácido acetilsalicílico (ASA) como referente (100 mg/d). Se midieron los porcentajes de agregación plaquetaria después de la estimulación con ácido araquidónico (AA, 150 µg/mL), difosfato de adenosina (ADP, 10 µM) y colágeno (COL, 10 µg/mL). Resultados: La dieta rica en cáscara de patata resultó en una ligera pero significativa reducción en la agregación plaquetaria cuando se estimuló con ácido araquidónico en comparación con los valores iniciales (85,0 ± 2,0% vs. 91,3 ± 1,7%, p <0,05). Este efecto fue menos pronunciado que la reducción lograda con ASA (16 ± 1,9%, p <0,001). Conclusión: La administración de una dieta rica en cáscara de patata reduce la agregación plaquetaria inducida por ácido araquidónico, lo que sugiere su papel potencial en la prevención de trastornos aterotrombóticos.

Study of correlations between serum taurine, thyroid hormones and echocardiographic parameters of systolic function in clinically healthy Golden retrievers fed with commercial diet.

Taurine deficiency predisposes to the development of nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy and is widespread in dogs fed with non-traditional diets. However, Golden retrievers show lower plasma taurine concentration and an impaired systolic function compared to breeds of the same size and morphotype. For these reasons, it can be difficult to classify a subject from a cardiological point of view, with the risk of considering as pathological characteristics that can be completely normal in this breed. This is a cross-sectional multicenter study. The aims were 1) to identify breed-specific range of serum taurine concentration, 2) to describe a correlation between serum taurine concentration and echocardiographic parameters of systolic function in clinically healthy Golden retrievers fed with traditional diet, 3) to identify a correlation between thyroid hormones, serum taurine concentration and echocardiographic indices. Sixty clinically healthy Golden retrievers (33% males, 67% females) were included. Fifty-three dogs were fed with traditional diets and their range of serum taurine concentration was 398.2 (31.8-430) nmol/ml. Serum taurine concentration was found to be negatively correlated to systolic internal diameter of the left ventricle and systolic and diastolic left ventricular indices and volumes obtained with different methods, whereas was positively correlated to the left ventricle ejection and shortening fractions but difference was not statistically significative. A weak but significant correlation between serum taurine and T4 was demonstrated. Serum taurine median values in dogs with normal systolic function were higher than in dogs with impaired systolic function. A cut-off of serum taurine concentration of 140.6 nmol/ml had a moderate sensitivity and specificity in the identification of an impaired left ventricular systolic function (AUC 0.6, Se 78%, Sp 44%). This study showed that the median serum taurine concentration was significantly lower in dogs with impaired systolic function. Therefore, echocardiographic monitoring is recommended in all dogs with serum taurine concentration lower than 140.6 nmol/ml.

Association between dietary inflammation index and female infertility from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 2013-2018.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) scores and infertility in US adults aged 18 to 45. Methods: Data were gathered from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). In total, 3496 women were included in the study. To examine the relationship between DII, EDII and infertility, a weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis using continuous factors or categorical variables grouped by quartiles was conducted. Using subgroup analysis stratified based on DII and infertility features, the association between DII and infertility has been further studied. In order to determine whether there was a nonlinear relationship between DII and infertility, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was carried out. Results: For statistical analysis, a total of 3496 individuals - 367 patients with infertility and 3129 persons without infertility - were included. A multivariable logistic regression study revealed a positive relationship between DII and infertility. A significant difference in subgroup analysis was shown in age group and race, although RCS analysis demonstrated nonlinear relationship between the DII and infertility. Conclusion: For participants aged 18-45 years, higher DII scores were positively correlated with infertility. In addition, anti-inflammatory diets might improve infertility outcomes.

Association between dietary behavior and puberty in girls.

INTRODUCTION: Over the decades the trends of early onset of puberty have been observed in children, particularly in girls. Research evidence has reported diet to be among the most important risk factors for puberty onset. This study evaluated the association between dietary behavior and puberty in girls. METHODS: We enrolled 201 girls with the main complaints of breast development as the cases at the Endocrine Department of Nanjing Children's Hospital. The cases were divided into breast development with central priming and breast development without central priming groups and were matched with 223 normal health girls with no breast development (control group). We used the modified Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) to conduct a face-to-face interview about dietary behavior. Sample t-test or Mann Whitney U test or Chi-square test, the analysis of variance or Kruskal Wallis test, and least significant difference (LSD) were used to compare differences between the groups, Bonferroni was used to correct the p-value, and logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for puberty onset. RESULTS: A total of 424 girls participated in this study, among them, 136 were cases with breast development with central priming, 65 were cases with breast development without central priming, and 223 were normal health girls with no breast development. Age of the participants ranged from 4.5 to 9.3 years. There were significant differences in food response (p < 0.001), dietary restriction (p < 0.001), frequencies of vegetable intake (χ2 = 8.856, p = 0.012), drinking milk (χ2 = 23.099, p = 0.001), and borderline statistical difference in a total score of unhealthy dietary behavior (p = 0.053) among the cases and controls. However, in the post hoc analysis, these dietary behaviors were significant differences between the girls with breast development with central priming and the control groups. Moreover, girls in the breast development with central priming group had significantly higher bone age (BA), uterine body length, ovarian volume, basal luteinizing hormone (LH), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), peak LH, peak FSH, estradiol (E2), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) compared to those in the breast development without central priming group. In the multivariate logistic regression, only uterine body length was associated with increased risk of breast development with central priming (OR = 1.516, 95%CI: 1.243-1.850). CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in dietary behaviors among girls with breast development with central priming and normal health girls with no breast development, and uterine body length was associated with an increasing risk of breast development with central priming among girls with breast development.

The effects of dietary Spirulina platensis or curcumin nanoparticles on performance, body chemical composition, blood biochemical, digestive enzyme, antioxidant and immune activities of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings.

CONTEXT: Recently, prioritize has been given to using natural phytogenic or nano compounds as growth promoters and immunostimulants in fish diets as an alternative to antibiotics. AIMS: The main propose of this trial was to determine the impact of supplementing diets with spirulina or curcumin nanoparticles on the performance and health indicators of Nile tilapia fingerlings. METHODS: In a 56-day feeding trial, 180 tilapia fingerlings were assigned into three main groups, as follows: 1st, control group, 2nd, Spirulina platensis (SP; 5 g kg-1 diet) and 3rd, curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-NPs; 30 mg kg-1 diet). KEY RESULTS: Incorporating tilapia diets with SP or CUR-NPs significantly improved performance, body chemical analysis, blood biochemical and hematological indices, digestive enzyme activities, and antioxidant and immunostimulant features compared to the control. CONCLUSION: Fortified tilapia diets with CUR-NPs or SP efficiently boost the productivity and health of Nile tilapia fingerlings. IMPLICATIONS: The research introduces new practical solutions for applying safe feed additives as alternatives to antibiotics in tilapia farming.

A blended face-to-face and eHealth lifestyle intervention on physical activity, diet, and health outcomes in Hong Kong community-dwelling older adults: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Aging individuals are vulnerable to various Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). Different behaviors are closely related to a decreased risk of suffering from NCDs: sufficient Physical Activity (PA) (e.g., at least 150 mins Moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) per week) and a healthy daily diet (e.g., at least five portions of Fruit and Vegetable Intake (FVI), 5-6 taels (189.0-226.8 g) Meat, Fish, Egg and Alternatives (MFEA)). Traditional face-to-face interventions were effective in behavior change. However, it was revealed to be resource-intensive and limited transfer due to poor self-regulation skills outside of face-to-face sessions. Thus, eHealth could be a supplement for older adults outside traditional face-to-face settings. The blended approach combining these two interventions might optimize the intervention effects on lifestyle behavior initiation and maintenance, but little research can be found among Hong Kong older adults. Therefore, the study aims to test a blended intervention to promote PA, diet, and health outcomes among Hong Kong community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study will adopt a 10-week three-arm randomized controlled trial. The blended group will receive weekly (1) two 60-min face-to-face sessions with one for PA and one for diet, and (2) two web-based sessions with one for PA and one for diet. The face-to-face group will receive the same intervention content as the face-to-face sessions in the blended group. The control condition will receive a biweekly telephone call. The outcomes will include MVPA (minutes/week), FVI (portions/day), MFEA consumption (taels/day), social-cognitive factors (self-efficacy, planning, social support, action control), physical health outcomes (clinical indicators, senior physical fitness), mental health outcomes (depression, loneliness) and health-related quality of life. Data collection will be implemented at the pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up test. Discussion: This is the first study evaluating a blended intervention promoting multiple health behaviors among Hong Kong community-dwelling older adults. If the effect of the blended intervention is superior to the traditional face-to-face group and the control group, it will enrich lifestyle intervention approaches and can be applied to older adults, helping them obtain health benefits. Furthermore, a better understanding of mechanisms will also have implications for theory-building. Clinical trial registration: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN32329348, ISRCTN32329348.

Determinants of anemia among pregnant women attending a tertiary hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia: unmatched case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending a tertiary referral hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. METHODS: An unmatched case-control study was conducted on pregnant women who visited the antenatal clinics of a tertiary referral hospital between March and July 2021. The study recruited pregnant women who had a hemoglobin level of <11 g/dL into the anemic group, while those with hemoglobin levels ≥11 g/dL were included in the non-anemic group. Demographics, clinical, obstetrics, nutrition-related, hygiene- and sanitation-related, and parasitic infection-related data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 449 pregnant women (399 anemic and 50 non-anemic) participated in the study. A total of 224 (56.7%) in the anemic group and 31 (62.0%) in the non-anemic group did not consume any dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, bukurey, cagaar, and koomboow (p=0.040). Notably, 255 (63.9%) in the anemic group and 21 (42.0%) in the non-anemic group had a middle-upper arm circumference <23 cm. More than half of anemic [335 (84%)] and non-anemic [46 (92.0%)] were classified under low dietary diversity score. Majority of the study participants, 288 (72.4%) of the anemic and 39 (78%) of the non-anemic groups, used pit toilets in dwellings, and 70.2% (134/191) of the anemic and 64.4% (246/382) of the non-anemic groups disposed of solid waste in open fields. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that women who consumed green vegetables such as spinach, bukurey, cagaar, and koomboow in their diet had middle-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm, and those with low dietary diversity significantly developed anemia during pregnancy.

Role of food choice motives in the socio-economic disparities in diet diversity and obesity outcomes in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, along with high diet diversity, is observed among higher socio-economic groups in Sub-Saharan Africa. One contributing factor to these observed variations is food choice motives. However, the role of these motives in explaining the observed differences has not been thoroughly explored in this context. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates whether there are significant differences in food choice motives among socio-economic groups and whether these variations can partly explain the socio-economic disparities in diet diversity and overweight and obesity outcomes. METHODS: This study utilizes cross-sectional data from four counties in Kenya: Kiambu, Murang'a, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru. The survey employed a three-stage cluster sample design to gather data using structured questionnaires on food choice motives, diet diversity, and anthropometrics from 381 adults in 2022. The mediating effects of 8 food choice motives (health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, natural content, price, weight control, and familiarity) were analyzed using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method. RESULTS: The results show that individuals with higher household incomes place greater importance on health, mood, sensory, and weight concerns. The probability of an overweight and obesity outcome increases by 19% for a standard deviation change in the asset score, and by 8% for a standard deviation change in the years of schooling. Sensory motives significantly mediated these relationships. Sensory motives explained 29% of the income-BMI association and 30% of the education-BMI relationship. Higher education was also associated with increased diet diversity (ß = 0.36, P < 0.001) mediated by higher health and sensory concerns. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest significant differences in food choice motives among socio-economic groups, which contribute to outcomes such as overweight and obesity. Therefore, educational and other policies aimed at reducing obesity should also address food choice motives, while considering the disparities among socio-economic segments within populations.

Selenium intake in relation to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A nationwide study in nutrition.

AIMS: Limited evidence exists regarding the association of selenium with risk of death in individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study was designed to investigate the relationship between dietary selenium intake with mortality in a nationally representative sample of United States adults with NAFLD. METHODS: Dietary selenium intake was assessed in 2274 NAFLD adults younger than 60 years of age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III through a 24-hour dietary recall. NAFLD was diagnosed by liver ultrasound after excluding liver disease due to other causes. Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to assess the effect of dietary selenium intake on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with NAFLD. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 27.4 years, 577 deaths occurred in individuals with NAFLD, including 152 cardiovascular deaths. The U-shaped associations were discovered between selenium intake with all-cause (Pnolinear = 0.008) and cardiovascular mortality (Pnolinear < 0.001) in adults with NAFLD after multivariate adjustment, with the lowest risk around selenium intake of 121.7 or 125.9 µg/day, respectively. Selenium intake in the range of 104.1-142.4 µg/day was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and, otherwise, an increased risk. Selenium intake in the range of 104.1-150.6 µg/day was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular death and, otherwise, an increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: Both high and low selenium intake increased the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death in adults younger than 60 years of age with NAFLD, which may help guide dietary adjustments and improve outcomes in adults with NAFLD.

Effects of replacing fishmeal with soybean meal on the immune and antioxidant capacity, and intestinal metabolic functions of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Excess utilization of plant protein sources in animal feed has been found to adversely affect the antioxidant properties and immunity of animals. While the role of gut microbes in plant protein-induced inflammation has been identified in various models, the specific mechanisms regulating gut microbes in crustaceans remain unclear. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the effects of replacing fishmeal with soybean meal (SM) on the hepatopancreas antioxidant and immune capacities, and gut microbial functions of crayfish, as well as the potential microbial regulatory mechanisms. 750 crayfish (4.00 g) were randomly divided into five groups: SS0, SS25, SS50, SS75, and SS100, and fed diets with different levels of soybean meal substituted for fishmeal for six weeks. High SM supplementation proved detrimental to maintaining hepatopancreas health, as indicated by an increase in hemolymph MDA content, GPT, and GOT activities, the observed rupture of hepatopancreas cell basement membranes, along with the decreased number of hepatopancreatic F cells. Moreover, crayfish subjected to high SM diets experienced obvious inflammation in hepatopancreas, together with up-regulated mRNA expression levels of nfkb, alf, and tlr (p<0.05), whereas the lzm mRNA expression level exhibited the highest value in the SS25 group. Furthermore, hepatopancreas antioxidant properties highly attenuated by the level of dietary SM substitution levels, as evidenced by the observed increase in MDA content (p<0.05), decrease in GSH content (p<0.05), and inhabitation of SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST activities (p<0.05), along with down-regulated hepatopancreas cat, gpx, gst, and mmnsod mRNA expression levels via inhibiting nrf2/keap1 pathway. Functional genes contributing to metabolism identified that high SM diets feeding significantly activated lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, revealing gut dysfunction acted as the cause of inflammation. The global microbial co-occurrence network further indicated that the microbes contributing more to serum indicators and immunity were in module eigengene 17 (ME17). A structural equation model revealed that the genes related to alf directly drove the serum enzyme activities through microbes in ME17, with OTU399 and OTU533 identified as major biomarkers and classified into Proteobacteria that secrete endotoxins. To conclude, SM could replace 25 % of fishmeal in crayfish diets without negatively affecting immunity, and antioxidant capacity. Excessive SM levels contributed to gut dysfunction and weakened the innate immune system of crayfish.

Effect of Incorporating 1 Avocado per Day Versus Habitual Diet on Vascular Function in Adults With Abdominal Obesity: An Ancillary Study of HAT, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is associated with endothelial dysfunction and poorer vascular health. Avocado consumption improves postprandial endothelial function; however, the longer-term effects remain unclear. It was hypothesized that the daily addition of 1 avocado to a habitual diet for 6 months would improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in individuals with abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥35 in for women, ≥40 in for men), compared with a habitual diet low in avocados. METHODS AND RESULTS: HAT (Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial) was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-arm study that investigated the health effects of adding 1 avocado per day to a habitual diet in individuals with abdominal obesity. At the Pennsylvania State University, University Park study center (n=134; age, 50 ± 13 years; women, 78%; body mass index, 32.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2), markers of vascular function were measured, including endothelial function, assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, and arterial stiffness, assessed via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Between-group differences in 6-month change in flow-mediated dilation and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were assessed using independent t tests. Prespecified subgroup analyses were conducted using linear regression. No significant between-group differences in flow-mediated dilation (mean difference=-0.62% [95% CI, -1.70 to 0.46]) or carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (0.25 m/s [95% CI, -0.13 to 0.63]) were observed. Results of the subgroup analyses were consistent with the primary analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-term consumption of 1 avocado per day as part of a habitual diet did not improve measures of vascular function compared with a habitual diet low in avocados in individuals with abdominal obesity. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03528031.

Does government food demonstration intervention influence household dietary diversity in the Upper West Region of Ghana?

Dietary diversity is crucial in ensuring food and nutrition security. In low-middle-income countries, people frequently prioritize the quantity of food they consume over its quality due to a lack of availability and financial limitations. As a result, achieving dietary diversity is often overlooked in favor of ensuring adequate caloric intake. Through a social cognitive theory perspective, our study examines the relationship between food demonstrations and household dietary diversity in Ghana's Upper West Region utilizing cross-sectional survey data from 517 smallholder farmer households. The results from ordered logistic regression presented in odds ratio (OR) show that participating in food demonstrations (OR: 2.585, p<0.01), engaging in home gardening (OR: 1.932, p<0.001), having access to credit (OR: 1.609, p<0.01), self-rated good nutritional status (OR: 1.747, p<0.01), and Waala ethnicity (OR: 3.686, p<0.001) were all positively associated with high household dietary diversity. Conversely, living in the Wa West district was associated with lower dietary diversity (OR: 0.326, p<0.001). Our research findings suggest that policymakers may want to consider implementing community-based educational programs, such as home and school visits for food demonstrations and sensitizations, promoting mother-to-mother support groups for dietary diversity education, nutrition counseling services, and using role-play and local media. In addition, strengthening local agricultural policies through food banks, indigenous seed development, and mobile food markets and enhancing public-private partnerships like the Ghana Schools Feeding Programme and National Food Buffer Stock company could improve the supply chain and distribution networks for diverse food items. Implementing these interventions in the Upper West Region of Ghana could improve health, well-being, food security, and nutritional outcomes.

All-you-can-eat buffet: A spider-specialized bat species (Myotis emarginatus) turns into a pest fly eater around cattle.

Determining the dietary spectrum of European insectivorous bats over time is the cornerstone of their conservation, as it will aid our understanding of foraging behavior plasticity in response to plummeting insect populations. Despite the global decline in insects, a restricted number of arthropod pest species thrive. Yet past research has overlooked the potential of European bats to suppress pests harmful to woodlands or livestock, in spite of their economic relevance. Here we investigated the diet composition, its breeding season variations and pest consumption of an insectivorous bat species (Myotis emarginatus), at the northern edge of its range (Wallonia, Belgium). We also explored the prey ecology to gain insight into the hunting strategies and foraging habitats of this bat species. We used DNA metabarcoding to amplify two COI markers within 195 bat droppings collected in June, July and August, thereby identifying 512 prey taxa predominated by Diptera, Araneae and Lepidoptera. Overall, in 97% of the samples we detected at least one of the 58 potential pest taxa, 41 of which targeting trees. The June samples were marked by a diet rich in orb-weaver spiders, in accordance with the archetypal diet of M. emarginatus bats. However, during the highly energy demanding July-August parturition and lactation period, roughly 55% of the dropping samples contained two cattle fly pests (Stomoxys calcitrans and Musca domestica). Moreover, among the 88 Diptera species preyed upon by M. emarginatus in July and August, these flies accounted for around 50% of the taxa occurrences. This plasticity-the switch from a spider-rich to a fly-rich diet-seems providential considering the dramatic ongoing drop in insect populations but this involves ensuring bat-friendly cattle farming. Our results revealed that bats widely consume pest entomofauna, thereby highlighting their potential role as allies of forest managers and farmers.

A real-world cross-sectional study evaluating the role of an oral amino acid-based supplement in nutrient intake by preschoolers on a cow's milk elimination diet.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Food allergy has several negative nutritional consequences and may persist beyond the first year of lives. This study aimed to assess the role of a complete oral amino acid-based supplement in the diet of children on cow's milk protein elimination diet because of food allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included two groups of children aged 1-5 years paired by age and socioeconomic status: (1) study group, on cow's milk protein elimination diet plus an oral amino acid-based supplement, and (2) control group, on cow's milk protein elimination diet. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and dietary data were obtained through online interviews. Two 24-h dietary recalls were collected on nonconsecutive days. Both groups comprised mostly boys. RESULTS: The study group presented lower values of body mass index. The frequency of feeding difficulties was similar between groups. The study group had a higher intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, selenium, vitamins D, E, B1, B2, B6, and B12, niacin, and folic acid compared to the control group. A higher proportion of children in the study group had adequate intake according to the recommendations made for energy, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2, and B6, and folic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a complete oral amino acid-based supplement has a positive effect on the diet quality of preschoolers on cow's milk elimination diet because of food allergy, promoting higher intake of energy, calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients.

Endoparasitic helminth fauna and diet of Geophagus sveni (Pisces) in Upper Paraná River basin.

In freshwater ecosystems, parasite infection patterns are influenced by factors including spatial-temporal variations, host diet, and habitat. Fish often change diets, affecting their parasite communities. This study focused on non-native host fish Geophagus sveni, aiming to characterize diet and endoparasitic helminth fauna patterns in the invaded area, investigating spatial and seasonal possible differences of endoparasite infections and correlating with host diet, in São José dos Dourados River and Tietê River areas. The host fish were collected in these areas during the dry and rainy season using gillnets. The endoparasites were collected and preserved in alcohol and identified using taxonomic methods, and stomach contents were examined for diet analysis. Parasitism descriptors were calculated and evaluated spatially and seasonally by ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis tests. PERMANOVA assessed G. sveni diet differences, and RDA correlated the endohelminth abundance with the host diet. Two endoparasites were recorded: metacercariae of Austrodiplostomum compactum (Trematoda) and larvae and adults of Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) lanfrediae (Nematoda). Spatial differences were observed for the mean abundance and prevalence of R. (S.) lanfrediae and A. compactum prevalence. Seasonal variations of parasitic descriptors occurred for the nematode in the Tietê River area. The detritus and aquatic insects were the most consumed items by G. sveni. Detritus consumption positively correlates with nematode abundance. The findings indicate that factors such as artificial channels and rainfall, which can influence resource availability, may affect the fish's diet and potentially influence the structure of its endoparasite community. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding trophic chain-transmitted parasites and calls for further research in Neotropical environments.

Apparent digestibility and nutritional status of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) under human care.

BACKGROUND: Studing the nutritional needs and dietary habits of primates is essential to ensure their health and well-being. This includes the understanding of the use of nutrients and its correlation with health parameters. METHODS: Diet and nutritional parameters of 13 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) were assesed. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients were evaluated. Nutritional status was established based on body condition score (BCS) and muscle mass score (MMS). RESULTS: High apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were observed for crude protein and ether extract, but low for minerals and crude fiber. The ADC of EE and CF were related to MMS, and the biochemical parameters did not correlate with the AD coefficients obtained in the group. The nutritional status of the animals remained inadequate in 84.6% of the individuals, suggesting a reformulation of the diet and nutritional management.

The association between multiple trajectories of macronutrient intake and the risk of new-onset diabetes in Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: The association between macronutrient intake and diabetes is unclear. We used data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey to explore the association between macronutrient intake trajectories and diabetes risk in this study. METHODS: We included 6755 participants who did not have diabetes at baseline and participated in at least three surveys. The energy supply ratio of carbohydrate, protein, and fat was further calculated from dietary data; different macronutrient trajectories were determined using multitrajectory models; and multiple Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between these trajectories and diabetes. RESULTS: We found three multitrajectories: decreased low carbohydrate-increased moderate protein-increased high fat (DLC-IMP-IHF), decreased high carbohydrate-moderate protein-increased low fat (DHC-MP-ILF), and balanced-macronutrients (BM). Compared to the BM trajectory, DHC-MP-ILF trajectories were significantly associated with increased risk of diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.228, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.571-6.632), whereas no association between DLC-IMP-IHF trajectories and diabetes was found in our study (HR: 0.699, 95% CI: 0.351-1.392). CONCLUSIONS: The downward trend of high carbohydrate and the increasing trend of low fat increased the risk of diabetes in Chinese adults.

Dietary flavonoids modulate the gut microbiota: A new perspective on improving autism spectrum disorder through the gut-brain axis.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with an unknown etiology. It is associated with various factors and causes great inconvenience to the patient's life. The gut-brain axis (GBA), which serves as a bidirectional information channel for exchanging information between the gut microbiota and the brain, is vital in studying many neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary flavonoids provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, as well as regulating the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The occurrence and development of ASD are associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Modulation of gut microbiota can effectively improve the severity of ASD. This paper reviews the links between gut microbiota, flavonoids, and ASD, focusing on the mechanism of dietary flavonoids in regulating ASD through the GBA.

Pathways in formulating foods for the elderly.

The growth of the elderly population worldwide is posing significant challenges to human society. The progressive physical and physiological changes occur with aging, including decreased appetite, incomplete digestion, and reduced absorption of nutrients. A common feature of many elderly people's diets is a deficiency in proteins (especially easily digestible ones) and micronutrients (e.g., vitamins, zinc, iron, and calcium). One of the solutions to this problem is the incorporation of these components into suitably texture-modified foods. There is a dearth of products that meet the needs of the elderly with special medical/health conditions such as dysphagia, osteoporosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as those who are in hospital and palliative care. Future research and development of foods for the elderly must address specific dietary needs of different subgroups of elderly people with underlying health conditions. The existence of different physical and physiological stages of the elderly means that their specific dietary requirements must be considered. This review summarizes current knowledge on nutritional requirements including those with underlying health problems and outlines the research and innovation pathways for developing new foods considering nutrition, texture, flavor, and other sensory aspects.