Paraventricular oxytocin neurons impact energy intake and expenditure: projections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduce sucrose consumption.

Background: The part played by oxytocin and oxytocin neurons in the regulation of food intake is controversial. There is much pharmacological data to support a role for oxytocin notably in regulating sugar consumption, however, several recent experiments have questioned the importance of oxytocin neurons themselves. Methods: Here we use a combination of histological and chemogenetic techniques to investigate the selective activation or inhibition of oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (OxtPVH). We then identify a pathway from OxtPVH neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis using the cell-selective expression of channel rhodopsin. Results: OxtPVH neurons increase their expression of cFos after both physiological (fast-induced re-feeding or oral lipid) and pharmacological (systemic administration of cholecystokinin or lithium chloride) anorectic signals. Chemogenetic activation of OxtPVH neurons is sufficient to decrease free-feeding in Oxt Cre:hM3Dq mice, while inhibition in Oxt Cre:hM4Di mice attenuates the response to administration of cholecystokinin. Activation of OxtPVH neurons also increases energy expenditure and core-body temperature, without a significant effect on locomotor activity. Finally, the selective, optogenetic stimulation of a pathway from OxtPVH neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduces the consumption of sucrose. Conclusion: Our results support a role for oxytocin neurons in the regulation of whole-body metabolism, including a modulatory action on food intake and energy expenditure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the pathway from OxtPVH neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis can regulate sugar consumption.

More than chest pain: A case of oesophageal foreign body ingestion.

BACKGROUND:  Physicians often focus on possible cardiac causes in patients presenting with chest pain. However, this case highlights a patient who presented with chest pain caused by ingestion of a foreign body after an uneventful meal eaten an hour prior to presentation. The fishbone was discovered after imaging. The article aims to raise awareness regarding the potential origins of chest pain, highlighting that it may stem from non-cardiac conditions. METHODS:  The methodology employed in this study involved conducting a case study that meticulously examined the repercussions and management strategies associated with foreign body ingestion. RESULTS:  The case report delineates the scenario of a 27-year-old male patient who inadvertently ingested a fishbone during a routine meal. It details the swift decline in clinical status, the meticulous diagnostic procedures employed, the subsequent management strategies implemented and the ultimate discharge of the patient in a stable condition. CONCLUSION:  This case highlights the importance of comprehensive history taking and considering a wide range of causes of chest pain when evaluating a patient. The foreign body ingested with the resulting cardiac complications could have been fatal if not promptly diagnosed.Contribution: This study contributed to advancing awareness surrounding foreign body ingestion, shedding light on potential complications and offering valuable insights into effective management strategies.

Hypothalamic-hindbrain circuit for consumption-induced fear regulation.

To ensure survival, animals must sometimes suppress fear responses triggered by potential threats during feeding. However, the mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. In the current study, we demonstrated that when fear-conditioned stimuli (CS) were presented during food consumption, a neural projection from lateral hypothalamic (LH) GAD2 neurons to nucleus incertus (NI) relaxin-3 (RLN3)-expressing neurons was activated, leading to a reduction in CS-induced freezing behavior in male mice. LHGAD2 neurons established excitatory connections with the NI. The activity of this neural circuit, including NIRLN3 neurons, attenuated CS-induced freezing responses during food consumption. Additionally, the lateral mammillary nucleus (LM), which received NIRLN3 projections, along with RLN3 signaling in the LM, mediated the decrease in freezing behavior. Collectively, this study identified an LHGAD2-NIRLN3-LM circuit involved in modulating fear responses during feeding, thereby enhancing our understanding of how animals coordinate nutrient intake with threat avoidance.

Comparisons between ingestion, rejection, and egestion of microbeads by burrowing clams, Meretrix meretrix and Paphia undulata: Implications for health risk of shellfish consumption.

Two burrowing clam species, namely Meretrix meretrix and Paphia undulata, were offered two sizes (small: 45-53 µm, and large: 106-125 µm) of fluorescent red polyethylene microbeads, and the ingestion (number of MPs in the body tissue and faeces) and rejection (number of MPs in pseudofaeces) of MPs investigated. Overall, MP beads ingested were 36 % more than those rejected. There was also a significant interaction between the size and fate of MPs. For both species, significantly more small beads were ingested than rejected, but there was no difference for the large beads. P. undulata ingested more MPs than M. meretrix and both species could depurate all the ingested MPs in 72 h, although a longer time was needed for the former species. The results can provide guidance on seafood selection and pre-treatment to minimize the number of MPs ingested by humans.

Food Neophobia and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake among Adults and Related Factors.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) includes age-inappropriate feeding behaviors in eating patterns, including food neophobia, defined as refusal or reluctance to eat new or unknown foods. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ARFID and food neophobia among adults and determine the related characteristics of these risks. The study used an anonymous survey questionnaire consisting of three parts as the research tool. The first part of the questionnaire was a metric and concerned socio-demographic data. The Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) and the Nine-Item Avoidance/Restrictive Food Disorder Screen Questionnaire (NIAS) were used to evaluate the eating disorders. The survey included 309 people (60.2% women, 39.8% men) aged 18-77 years. NIAS results indicated that 15.2% of the subjects showed food selectivity, and 11.0% had food anxiety. In the FNS assessment, 42.4% had a low risk of food neophobia, 38.2% a medium risk, and 19.4% a high risk. A higher risk of food neophobia correlated with higher NIAS scores, indicating a higher risk of ARFID (p = 0.00231). The NIAS score increased with the risk of food neophobia (p = 0.000). Respondents at low risk of neophobia were most likely to avoid several products (83.97%), while in the high-risk group, 56.67% did not want to eat a favorite food enriched with a new ingredient. A higher risk of neophobia was correlated with more food avoidance and adverse reactions to new foods (p = 0.000). A higher risk of food neophobia is strongly correlated with a higher risk of ARFID. Although demographics did not significantly impact NIAS results, some trends were noted, such as higher scores among older and underweight people. Those with a higher risk of food neophobia show more food avoidance and a greater reluctance to experiment with new ingredients. Public education should emphasize that eating disorders affect both sexes equally, with tailored interventions for high-risk groups such as the elderly, rural populations, and those with lower education. Health policies should promote access to nutrition education, psychological support, and diverse food options, while further research is needed to improve targeted interventions.

Associations of Acetic Acid Intake with Protein and Vitamin Intake Estimated via a Food Recording Application.

A conventional questionnaire-based assessment of acetic acid intake is based on the intake of seasonings such as mayonnaise, which could thereby lead to an underestimation. We here determine the relationships of acetic acid intake with nutrient intake estimated using a food recording app (Asken) based on meal recipes. A total of 141 individuals (48 men and 93 women) used the app for at least 7 days per month. The mean daily intake of acetic acid was 0.16 ± 0.19 g and the mean frequency of acetic acid intake was 2.77 ± 1.66 days per week. A multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and energy intake revealed that the amount of acetic acid consumed was significantly and positively associated with the intake of protein (11.9 (5.1, 18.6), p < 0.001), cholesterol (80.7 (4.5, 156.9), p = 0.04), and all vitamins except vitamin K. The frequency of acetic acid intake was significantly and positively associated with protein (1.04 (0.20, 1.87), p = 0.015), vitamin B1 (0.3 (0.02,0.5), p = 0.031), niacin (0.5 (0.04,1.0), p = 0.032), and vitamin B12 (0.4 (0.1,0.7), p = 0.002) intake, suggesting that individuals who frequently consume acetic acid tend to consume more protein and some vitamins. Thus, the amount and frequency of acetic acid may reflect protein and vitamin intake.

Contemporary Themes in Dietary Intake in Rugby Union Players: A Narrative Review.

Rugby union is an intermittent team sport with variability in body composition and match-play demands between positions which requires careful consideration for individual dietary requirements. While previous reviews have detailed the macronutrient intake in rugby players, none have discussed the further determinants of dietary intake in this population. Therefore, the purpose of the current review was to summarise the current evidence detailing dietary intake in rugby union players, report on contemporary nutritional research themes, and provide recommendations for athletes, nutritionists, and other stakeholders. In total, eighteen articles report on dietary intake in rugby players, with only one of these detailing dietary intake in female athletes. Recent studies have reported on both protein and carbohydrate periodisation practices in rugby union players; however, there is currently limited evidence as to the influence of these on performance, recovery, and well-being. Factors influencing eating patterns, the impact of sports nutritionists on dietary intake, and food consumption in catered and non-catered environments has been explored in isolated studies. Nutrition knowledge levels in rugby players have been reported in several studies; however, the influence this has on dietary intake in rugby players is unknown. Collectively, despite new contemporary themes emerging in the literature concerning dietary intake in rugby players, the studies are isolated; as such, there is limited scope to the translatability of information due to heterogeneity in sex, level of play, and location of participants. Given this, future research should aim to build upon the themes identified in this review in combination to support practitioners working within their specific environments. This will subsequently build towards the generation of rugby-specific recommendations.

Hunger, Satiety, and Their Vulnerabilities.

The psychological states of hunger and satiety play an important role in regulating human food intake. Several lines of evidence suggest that these states rely upon declarative learning and memory processes, which are based primarily in the medial temporal lobes (MTL). The MTL, and particularly the hippocampus, is unusual in that it is especially vulnerable to insult. Consequently, we examine here the impact on hunger and satiety of conditions that: (1) are central to ingestive behaviour and where there is evidence of MTL pathology (i.e., habitual consumption of a Western-style diet, obesity, and anorexia nervosa); and (2) where there is overwhelming evidence of MTL pathology, but where ingestive behaviour is not thought central (i.e., temporal lobe epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder). While for some of these conditions the evidence base is currently limited, the general conclusion is that MTL impairment is linked, sometimes strongly, to dysfunctional hunger and satiety. This focus on the MTL, and declarative learning and memory processes, has implications for the development of alternative treatment approaches for the regulation of appetite.

Evaluating Emotional Eating in Children from the Perspective of Parents: Psychometric Properties of the Parent Version of the Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Emotional eating is associated with adverse health outcomes in children, including elevated weight status. Currently, there is not a well-validated parent-report measure of emotional eating for young children. This study assessed the reliability and validity of the 10-item parent version of the Emotional Eating Scale Adapted for Children and Adolescents (EES-C) Short-Form. METHODS: The participants were 207 parents and 144 children from the southern United States. They completed the parent- and child-report EES-C Short-Form and responded to measures related to child eating behaviors, mood, and gratitude. RESULTS: The parent-report EES-C Short-Form demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94). Test-retest reliability was also supported, as evidenced by a medium correlation (ICC = 0.56, p < 0.001) between parent-rated emotional eating across two time points. Additionally, the measure demonstrated a significant correlation with a scale of emotional overeating (r = 0.25, p < 0.001)-a theoretically related construct. Supporting discriminant validity, the measure was not significantly related to a measure of parent-reported gratitude (r = 0.07, p = 0.30). A unidimensional model provided good fit for the data (CFI = 0.997, SRMR = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The results from the current study provide preliminary evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the parent version of the EES-C Short-Form. For the purpose of screening children in school or primary care settings, the EES-C Short-Form may be practical and helpful in identifying children who may be at risk of developing adverse health outcomes or more-severe eating disorder pathology.

Swimming training prevents obesity installation and normalizes hypothalamic expressions of GLP1 and leptin receptors in adult offspring born in small litters.

OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and leptin (Lep) are afferent signals that regulate energy metabolism. Lactational hypernutrition results in hyperphagia and adiposity in adult life, and these events can be prevented by exercise. We evaluated the effects of swimming training on hypothalamic (GLP1-R) and Lep receptor (Lep-R) gene expressions in lactational hypernutrition-induced obesity. METHODS: On the 3rd postnatal day, the litter sizes of lactating dams were adjusted to small litters (SL; 3 pups/dams) or normal litters (NL; 9 pups/dams). After weaning (21 days), NL and SL male rats were randomly distributed to sedentary (Sed) and exercised (Exe) groups. Exercised mice swam (30 min/3 times/week) for 68 days. Food intake and body weight gain were registered. At 92 days, intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed and rats were euthanized at 93 days; adipose tissue depots were weighed, and blood counts and plasma biochemical analyses performed. Hypothalamus were isolated to evaluate Lep-R and GLP1-R gene expressions. RESULTS: Small litters sedentary rats presented increased body weight gain, adiposity, insulin sensibility and higher fasting values of glucose and triglycerides, besides higher hypothalamic gene expressions of Lep-R and GLP1-R, compared to NLSed animals. SLExe rats did not develop obesity or metabolic abnormalities and Lep-R and GLP1-R hypothalamic gene expressions were normalized. CONCLUSION: Lactational hypernutrition induces obesity and metabolic dysfunction in adult life, in association with higher hypothalamic expressions of the Lep-R and GLP1-R genes. Exercise prevented obesity and improved metabolic state in SL overnourished rats, and normalized their hypothalamic Lep-R and GLP1-R gene expressions.

Beyond Distracted Eating: Cognitive Distraction Downregulates Odor Pleasantness and Interacts with Weight Status.

Considering the widespread issue of distracted eating, our study investigates how cognitive distraction influences the sensory perception of food-related odors among individuals with varying weight statuses. We conducted an exploratory, randomized, and cross-sectional experimental study, using the Tetris game to simulate real-life cognitive distraction, incorporating two distraction levels (low and high) and presenting five distinct odors. A total of 59 participants, categorized into a lean (n = 30) and overweight/obese group (n = 29) based on their body mass index (BMI), received odor stimuli while playing Tetris at low and high difficulty, corresponding to low and high distraction levels, respectively. Participants subsequently rated odor intensity and pleasantness under the two cognitive distraction conditions. Respiratory movements were monitored to ensure accurate olfactory stimulation. Our findings revealed no significant difference in odor intensity ratings across distraction levels (p = 0.903). However, there was a significant reduction in odor pleasantness under high cognitive distraction (p = 0.007), more pronounced in lean participants compared to those with an overweight status (p = 0.035). Additionally, an interaction between gender and cognitive distraction effects was observed in odor pleasantness perception. The differential effects of distraction across weight-status groups and genders are discussed in the context of hedonic motivation and compensatory mechanisms. This study sheds light onto the sensory mechanisms underlying distracted eating and could inform more personalized strategies for promoting healthier eating habits in a world dominated by distractions.

The nutritional impact of metallic taste in head and neck cancer patients: explorations and clinical implications.

PURPOSE: Metallic taste (MT) is frequently observed during head and neck cancer treatments, but very little is known about its impact on nutritional status. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of MT on the quality of life and nutritional status in patients with head and neck cancer expressing MT. METHODS: Questionnaires on quality of life, MT, weight, and food intake were filled out by 44 patients with head and neck cancer before, during, and up to 1 year after their treatment. Patients were divided into two groups based on their reported experience of MT. RESULTS: MT was commonly observed (n = 12, 27.2%), always during the treatment phase, and mostly linked with radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. Reported MT intensity was moderate (n = 6, 40%) to high (n = 4, 26.7%). MT had a significant negative impact on quality of life linked to dysgeusia (p = 0.025). The negative impacts of MT on food intake and on weight were not significant, possibly due to a combination of sample size, dropouts, and duration of observation. Further research in this area could provide additional insights into how to better address the issue related to MT and enhance the quality of care provided to this patient population. CONCLUSION: Metallic taste, experienced by 27.2% of the 44 patients with head and neck cancer, contributes to dysgeusia and results in a significant decline in quality of life associated with dysgeusia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration number: NCT03558789.

Exploring factors influencing late evening eating and barriers and enablers to changing to earlier eating patterns in adults with overweight and obesity.

Late evening eating is a potential risk factor for overconsumption and weight gain. However, there is limited qualitative research investigating the complex factors that influence late evening eating in adults living with obesity. Identifying the factors that influence late evening eating can inform interventions to reduce late evening eating and associated health risks. Therefore, this study aimed to: i) explore factors that contribute to eating late, and ii) apply the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model to understand the barriers and enablers to changing to earlier food intake timings in UK adults who report eating late. Semi-structured interviews with seventeen participants [32.47 ± 6.65 years; 34.68 ± 7.10 kg/m2; 71% female (n = 12); 41% White (n = 7)] investigated reasons for late evening eating and the potential barriers and enablers to changing to earlier eating patterns. Thematic analysis identified four main contributors to late evening eating: 1) internal signals (e.g., feeling hungry in the evening); 2) external and situational factors (e.g., work schedules and the food-rich environment); 3) social factors (e.g., interactions with family) and 4) behavioural and emotional factors (e.g., personal preferences and negative feelings in the evening). Time constraints and work schedules were identified as main barriers to changing to earlier eating patterns. Whereas, having high motivation (e.g., contentment with eating earlier in the evening) and interpersonal support were identified as main enablers to eating earlier. This study provides in-depth insights into the psychological, social, and environmental factors contributing to late evening eating. The findings highlight potential targets for future interventions to facilitate earlier eating times in individuals at risk of overweight and obesity.

Fasting-induced activity changes in MC3R neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus.

The brain controls energy homeostasis by regulating food intake through signaling within the melanocortin system. Whilst we understand the role of the hypothalamus within this system, how extra-hypothalamic brain regions are involved in controlling energy balance remains unclear. Here we show that the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) is expressed in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT). We tested whether fasting would change the activity of MC3R neurons in this region by assessing the levels of c-Fos and pCREB as neuronal activity markers. We determined that overnight fasting causes a significant reduction in pCREB levels within PVT-MC3R neurons. We then questioned whether perturbation of MC3R signaling, during fasting, would result in altered refeeding. Using chemogenetic approaches, we show that modulation of MC3R activity, during the fasting period, does not impact body weight regain or total food intake in the refeeding period. However, we did observe significant differences in the pattern of feeding-related behavior. These findings suggest that the PVT is a region where MC3R neurons respond to energy deprivation and modulate refeeding behavior.