Synchronizing food availability with the natural rhythm substantially improves reproduction and extends healthspan in laying hens.

Disrupted sleep due to nighttime eating can raise various concerns, impacting both physical health and overall well-being. Nevertheless, there is a lack of direct evidence linking nighttime eating with the female reproduction system, possibly due to the absence of suitable models. Here, we use the laying hen, a diurnal animal maintained under ad libitum feeding, as a vertebrate model to quantify the impact of nighttime eating on reproduction and aging. To do this, we have built an Arduino-based setup that regulates food availability and exclusively tracks the eating events of individuals. Our data indicate that synchronizing food availability with the natural sleep-wake rhythm substantially improves reproduction and extends healthspan in hens. With reproductive aging becoming progressively more prevalent in contemporary society due to the trend of delayed childbearing, synchronizing eating with the natural rhythm could help mitigate reproductive aging in vertebrates and potentially in humans as well.

Characterization of mosquito host-biting networks of potential Rift Valley fever virus vectors in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus with serious implications for livestock health, human health, and the economy in Africa, and is suspected to be endemic in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The vectors of RVFV in this area are poorly known, although several species, such as Aedes (Neomelaniconion) mcintoshi, Aedes (Neomelaniconion) circumluteolus, Aedes (Aedimorphus) durbanensis, and Culex (Lasioconops) poicilipes may be involved. The aim of the study was to determine the vertebrate blood meal sources of potential RVFV mosquito vectors in north-eastern KZN and to characterize the host-biting network. METHODS: Blood-fed mosquitoes were collected monthly from November 2019 to February 2023 using a backpack aspirator, CO2-baited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) miniature light traps and tent traps, in the vicinity of water bodies and livestock farming households. The mosquitoes were morphologically identified. DNA was extracted from individual mosquitoes and used as templates to amplify the vertebrate cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) genes using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplicons were sequenced and queried in GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data systems to identify the vertebrate blood meal sources and confirm mosquito identifications. All mosquitoes were screened for RVFV using real time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. RESULTS: We identified the mammalian (88.8%) and avian (11.3%) blood meal sources from 409 blood-fed mosquitoes. Aedes circumluteolus (n = 128) made up the largest proportion of collected mosquitoes. Cattle (n = 195) and nyala (n = 61) were the most frequent domestic and wild hosts, respectively. Bipartite network analysis showed that the rural network consisted of more host-biting interactions than the reserve network. All mosquitoes tested negative for RVFV. CONCLUSIONS: Several mosquito species, including Ae. circumluteolus, and vertebrate host species, including cattle and nyala, could play a central role in RVFV transmission. Future research in this region should focus on these species to better understand RVFV amplification.

Comparing spatial differences in behavioral pattern transition of Black-tailed gull during post breeding season in the Korean peninsula.

Parents adjust their foraging effort according to the chick and their own body condition and dual foraging strategy is one of the foraging tactics parents replenish their own reserves while feeding their chicks. During the post-breeding season, seabirds disperse to recover their own body condition and prepare for the next breeding season. Recently, we discovered Black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) breeding around the Korean Peninsula occasionally foraging long trips during the late fledging, however, our understanding of the behavioral patterns of Black-tailed gulls during the late fledging and post-breeding, as well as its inter-colonial differences, remains considerably limited. Here, we employed 92 GPS trackers to adult Black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) from six breeding colonies around the Korean peninsula (Yellow Sea-three colonies, South Sea-one colony, and East Sea-two colonies). To determine the foraging investment during the fledging, we suggested the flight efficiency in each trip as the ratio of maximum foraging distance (i.e., straight line distance) to total foraging distance (i.e., sum of all consecutive distance for each trip). Overall, the mean flight efficiency of the long foraging trips were lower than 57% (40.76 ± 13.07%) whereas that of the short foraging trips were over 74% (80.87 ± 4.03%). This may suggest that Black-tailed gulls may visited more than one foraging site during the long foraging trip while they flew directly between the foraging site and breeding colony during the short foraging trip to invest more in their juvenile. Moreover, longer maximum foraging distance with higher flight efficiency observed in the East Sea may indicate a balance between the costs (such as energy expended during foraging or food competition near breeding sites) and the benefits (quantity and quality of food obtained). Our findings revealed the flight behavior of Black-tailed gulls during the late fledging and post breeding, across six breeding colonies, which have different competition pressures and proximity to foraging site.

Discordance Between Mealtimes Reported by Trial Participants with Type 2 Diabetes and Healthcare Professionals.

Healthy lifestyle behaviors are essential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and meal registration is therefore important. Manual meal registration is cumbersome and could be automated using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). If such an algorithm is based on patient-reported meals, potential errors might be induced. Thus, the aim was to investigate potential errors in patient-reported mealtimes and the effect on automatic meal detection. Two healthcare professionals (HCPs) reported the mealtimes of the 18 included patients based on the patients' CGM data to assess the agreement between HCP- and patient-reported mealtimes. A developed meal detection algorithm based on detecting the post-prandial glucose response using cross-correlation was used to assess the impact of errors in patient-reported meals. The results showed poor disagreement between HCP- and patient-reported meals and that the meal detection algorithm had a moderately better performance on the HCP-reported meals. Therefore, the possibility of errors in patient-reported mealtimes should be considered in the development of meal detection algorithms. However, more research is needed to confirm the results of this study.

Dietary habits as associated factors with irritable bowel syndrome among medical students: evidence from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Research on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) among medical students has increased globally, highlighting a high prevalence in this demographic. However, there is a lack of data specifically regarding the prevalence of IBS among medical students in Yemen. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of IBS among Yemeni medical students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving medical students who completed a validated self-administered questionnaire incorporating socio-demographic information, dietary habits, smoking status, sleep patterns, and the Rome IV criteria for IBS. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify IBS's associated factors, estimated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and average marginal effect (AME) on the predicted probability of IBS. RESULTS: The study included 351 medical students with a mean age of 22.53 ± 2.70 years; 39.60% (139) were females. The prevalence of IBS was 26.21% (92 students), with 67.39% (62) of them classified as IBS-M (mixed). In multivariable analysis, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks remained significantly associated with IBS (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.14-9.88; P = 0.028). In males, coffee consumption had a substantial effect on the predicted probability of IBS (AME: 11.41%; 95% CI: 0.32-22.60). In females, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks had a significant effect on the predicted probability of IBS (AME: 24.91%; 95% CI: 8.34-41.48). CONCLUSION: The consumption of carbonated soft drinks is significantly associated with IBS among medical students, with a particularly notable increase in the predicted probability of IBS in females. These findings highlight the necessity for gender-specific dietary recommendations in IBS management. Further research is essential to investigate IBS in the general population to gain a comprehensive understanding of its prevalence and associated factors.

New species of Ontocetus (Pinnipedia: Odobenidae) from the Lower Pleistocene of the North Atlantic shows similar feeding adaptation independent to the extant walrus (Odobenus rosmarus).

Ontocetus is one of the most notable extinct odobenines owing to its global distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. Originating in the Late Miocene of the western North Pacific, this lineage quickly spread to the Atlantic Ocean during the Pliocene, with notable occurrences in England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Morocco and the eastern seaboard of the United States. Reassessment of a pair of mandibles from the Lower Pleistocene of Norwich (United Kingdom) and a mandible from the Upper Pliocene of Antwerp (Belgium) that were referred to as Ontocetus emmonsi reveals existences of features of both Ontocetus and Odobenus. The presence of four post-canine teeth, a lower canine larger than the cheek-teeth and a lower incisor confirms the assignment to Ontocetus; simultaneously, characteristics such as a fused and short mandibular symphysis, a well-curved mandibular arch and thin septa between teeth align with traits usually found in Odobenus. Based on a combination of these characters, we describe Ontocetus posti, sp. nov. Its mandibular anatomy suggests, a better adaptation to suction-feeding than what was previously described in the genus suggesting that Ontocetus posti sp. nov. likely occupied a similar ecological niche to the extant walrus Odobenus rosmarus. Originating from the North Pacific Ocean, Ontocetus most likely dispersed via the Central American Seaway. Although initially discovered in the Lower Pliocene deposits of the western North Atlantic, Ontocetus also left its imprint in the North Sea basin and Moroccan Plio-Pleistocene deposits. The closure of the Isthmus of Panama during the Mio-Pliocene boundary significantly impacted the contemporary climate, inducing global cooling. This event constrained Ontocetus posti in the North Sea basin leaving the taxon unable to endure the abrupt climate changes of the Early Pleistocene, ultimately going extinct before the arrival of the extant counterpart, Odobenus rosmarus.

Functional dissection of mosquito humidity sensing reveals distinct Dry and Moist Cell contributions to blood feeding and oviposition.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are major vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and other arboviral diseases. Ae. aegypti's capacity to reproduce and to spread disease depends on the female mosquitoes' ability to obtain blood meals and find water-filled containers in which to lay eggs (oviposit). While humidity sensation (hygrosensation) has been implicated in these behaviors, the specific hygrosensory pathways involved have been unclear. Here, we establish the distinct molecular requirements and anatomical locations of Ae. aegypti Dry Cells and Moist Cells and examine their contributions to behavior. We show that Dry Cell and Moist Cell responses to humidity involve different ionotropic receptor (IR) family sensory receptors, with dry air-activated Dry Cells reliant upon the IR Ir40a, and humid air-activated Moist Cells upon Ir68a. Both classes of hygrosensors innervate multiple antennal sensilla, including sensilla ampullacea near the antennal base as well as two classes of coeloconic sensilla near the tip. Dry Cells and Moist Cells each support behaviors linked to mosquito reproduction but contribute differently: Ir40a-dependent Dry Cells act in parallel with Ir68a-dependent Moist Cells to promote blood feeding, while oviposition site seeking is driven specifically by Ir68a-dependent Moist Cells. Together these findings reveal the importance of distinct hygrosensory pathways in blood feeding and oviposition site seeking and suggest Ir40a-dependent Dry Cells and Ir68a-dependent Moist Cells as potential targets for vector control strategies.

Age-Stratified Assessment of the Impact of Breast Cancer Knowledge on the Lifestyle and Dietary Patterns Among Nigerian Females.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in Nigeria, which is exacerbated by a lack of understanding of how knowledge of BC risk factors influences the lifestyle and dietary patterns of Nigerians across age groups. This study evaluated the influence of knowledge of BC risks on lifestyle and dietary patterns across age groups, aiming to inform early management, prevention, and survival rates. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ota, Ado-odo, Ogun State, Nigeria, involving participants from six educational institutions. The study assessed knowledge of BC risks factors and lifestyle/dietary habits using questionnaires. Results were analyzed using Epi Info software and SPSS version 20. RESULTS: The participants' age ranged from 13 to 60 years, with a mean of 21 years. The age categories of the participants were 75.24% adolescents (13-19), 18.68% young adults (20-40), and 6.08% middle-aged (41-60). Middle-aged individuals had the least knowledge about smoking (7.58%), alcohol (26.09%), antibiotics (7.25%), and red meat/smoked foods (20.09%), which translated into their poor dietary/lifestyle patterns. Young adults showed profound physical inactivity (71.00%), while adolescents consumed more carbonated drinks (71.53%), which corresponded to lack of knowledge about the effects of physical inactivity (10.85%) and consumption of carbonated drinks (13.70%) on BC risk. CONCLUSION: The study found that understanding BC risk factors directly affects lifestyle and dietary patterns. Age groups with higher knowledge had better lifestyle/dietary patterns. This highlights the need for a tailored intervention on lifestyle and dietary education across all age groups, especially the middle-aged, so as to inform a deliberate adjustment in lifestyle and dietary habits, which play crucial roles in BC incidence, survival, and prevention.

Low levels and determinants of appropriate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months from Tigray, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Complementary feeding is considered appropriate when introduced timely at 6 months of age, and where it fulfils the minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet. Sufficient evidence is available on the different individual indicators of appropriate complementary feeding. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and determinants of appropriate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. DESIGN AND SETTING: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 52 districts of Tigray. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5321 children aged 6-23 months were included using stratified two-stage random sampling. RESULTS: Approximately 19% of children received appropriate complementary feeding. Maternal residence in urban areas (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.26; 95% CI 1.062 to 1.489), maternal education (AOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.111 to 1.611), antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR 1.75; 95% CI 1.343 to 2.281), household food security (AOR 2.81; 95% CI 2.367 to 3.330) and provision of colostrum to newborns (AOR 1.76; 95% CI 1.139 to 2.711) were found predictors of appropriate complementary feeding. Moreover, children in the 12-17 and 18-23 months age groups were 1.3 (AOR 1.30; 95% CI 1.083 to 1.551) and 1.7 (AOR 1.73; 95% CI 1.436 to 2.072) times more likely to receive appropriate complementary feeding respectively, compared with children aged 6-11 months. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months remain unacceptably low in Tigray. Recommendations to improve nutrition outcomes include counselling on age-appropriate complementary feeding, education for girls and women, targeting families through food security initiatives, provision of nutrition education on appropriate complementary feeding practices during ANC visits, supporting mothers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of delivery and crafting context-based messaging for rural families.

A cognitive approach to better understand foraging strategies of the adult domestic hen.

Foraging is known to be one of the most important activities in the behavioral budget of chickens. However, how these animals adapt different foraging strategies to diverse environmental variations is currently poorly understood. To gain further insight into this matter, in the present study, hens were submitted to the sloped-tubes task. In this task, the experimenter can manipulate the information that enables the hens to find a food reward (visible or not), placed in one of two hollow tubes. First, 12 hens were tested under free-choice conditions (no penalty for exhaustive searching in both tubes). Under these conditions, the hens adopted a non-random, side-biased strategy when the food location was not directly visible. Then, we divided the hens in two cohorts of equal size to study deeper the hens' foraging strategy when faced (1) with a different container, or (2) with a restrictive environmental constraint under forced-choice conditions (no food reward if the unbaited tube is visited first). This latter constraint increased the risk of the hen not receiving food. A change in the containers didn't modify the search behavior of the hens. However, in forced-choice conditions when the location of the food was not directly visible, four out of six hens learned to choose by exclusion. We conclude that hens can selectively adapt their foraging strategy to the point of adopting an exclusion performance, depending on available information and environmental constraints (high or low risk).

Association between dietary patterns and depression symptoms among adults with or without diabetes in Qatar: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major public health problem in Qatar and is associated with an increased risk of depression. However, no study has been conducted in Qatar on the relationship between dietary patterns and depression symptoms in adults. The aim of this study was to assess the association between dietary patterns and depression symptoms among adults with or without diabetes in Qatar. METHODS: A total of 1000 participants from the Qatar Biobank (QBB) were included in this cross-sectional study. Food intake was assessed using a computer-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Depression symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Depression symptoms were present in 13.5% of the sample. Two dietary patterns were identified: "unhealthy" (high consumption of fast food, biryani, mixed dish (chicken/meat/fish), croissant) and "prudent" (high consumption of fresh fruit, salads/raw vegetables, canned/dried fruit, and dates). After adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle factors (smoking and physical activity), diabetes and medication use for diabetes and hypertension, a high intake of "unhealthy" pattern was associated with an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms in individuals with diabetes (prevalence ratio, PR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.28, 1.56; p-value < 0.001), while there was no statistically significant association between depressive symptoms and the "prudent" dietary pattern. The "prudent" pattern was inversely and significantly associated with depressive symptoms in individuals with a normal body weight (PR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.06, 0.76; p-value = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The "unhealthy" dietary pattern was positively associated with depression symptoms in those with diabetes, whereas the "prudent" dietary pattern was inversely associated with depression symptoms in those with a normal body weight. Promoting healthy eating habits should be considered in the prevention and management of depression.

Environmental impact of infant feeding type, accessories used and maternal dietary habits: The GREEN MOTHER-I project, a cross-sectional study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding (BF) is the healthiest form of nutrition for babies and is recommended exclusively (EBF) for at least the first six months of life. The carbon footprint of formula feeding (FF) has been studied, but that of BF is unknown. AIM: To identify the environmental impact of three types of infant feeding taking into account the accessories needed and the diet of postpartum women in the baby's first month of life. METHODS: This is a multicentre, cross-sectional study conducted in the Barcelona North Metropolitan Area (Catalonia, Spain). The participating sites are primary care settings that will recruit 408 postpartum women (4-6 weeks) as per inclusion/exclusion criteria. The data will be collected through a GREEN MOTHER Survey that includes 4 dimensions: 1) socio-demographic and clinical data; 2) data on the newborn and accessories used in infant feeding; 3) general data on the mother's diet (food consumption habits), and 4) recording of 24 h of the mother's diet. The data analysis will be performed to check the prevalence of infant feeding types at birth and month 1, as well as a comparative analysis of three types of infant feeding on environmental impact (climate change; water consumption, and scarcity). ETHICS: This project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Jordi Gol i Gurina University Institute Foundation for Primary Health Care Research (IDIAP) under code 22/101-P dated 22/02/2023. DISCUSSION: A second phase of the GREEN MOTHER study is planned, which will consist of an educational intervention to promote breastfeeding, nutrition and sustainability. This intervention will be based on the results obtained in Phase I. We expect that the project results - through the publication and dissemination of scientific papers and reports among relevant stakeholders (association of community midwives, healthcare and primary care attention professionals and the public) - will increase public awareness of breastfeeding and its impact on sustainability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Both phases of the GREEN MOTHER study protocol were registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05729581.

Entomological indicators and food sources of triatomines in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

BACKGROUND: Triatomines are biological vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas Disease (CD) and have various mammalian hosts. This study evaluated the entomological indicators and food sources of triatomines in Petrolina in the semi-arid region of Brazil, where CD is endemic. METHODS: Triatomines were captured indoors and outdoors through an active search and entomological indices (household and natural infections) were calculated. Parasitological analyses were performed through microscopic visualization using Giemsa-stained insect feces, and DNA sequencing was employed to identify food sources from the gut contents of 82 insects (9.05%) that were better preserved. RESULTS: We captured triatomines (906) in peridomicile (807) and intradomicile (99): Triatoma brasiliensis (84.7%, 767 specimens), Triatoma spp. (8.2%, 74 specimens), T. pseudomaculata (6.5%, 59 specimens), Rhodnius spp. (0.4%, four specimens), R. nasutus (0.1%, one specimen), and T. sordida (0.1%, one specimen). The household infestation index is 11.8%. Thirty-five triatomines were infected (33 T. brasiliensis and two T. pseudomaculata), corresponding to a natural infection index of 3.8%. The identified food sources were human T. pseudomaculata and T. brasiliensis, dogs for T. brasiliensis and rodents (Mus musculus) for T. brasiliensis. CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the need to intensify CD diagnosis, surveillance, and control actions, as an increase in entomological indices was recorded. Blood from humans and domestic and synanthropic animals was detected in the infected triatomines, suggesting a risk of CD vector transmission in Petrolina. As CD is a zoonosis, multidisciplinary and intersectoral CD surveillance must be conducted in the context of the One Health.

Hypothalamic cannabinoid signaling: Consequences for eating behavior.

In parallel to the legalization of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes, cannabinoid use has steadily increased over the last decade in the United States. Cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol and anandamide, bind to the central cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor to impact several physiological processes relevant for body weight regulation, including appetite and energy expenditure. The hypothalamus integrates peripheral signals related to energy balance, houses several nuclei that orchestrate eating, and expresses the CB1 receptor. Herein we review literature to date concerning cannabinergic action in the hypothalamus with a specific focus on eating behaviors. We highlight hypothalamic areas wherein researchers have focused their attention, including the lateral, arcuate, paraventricular, and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei, and interactions with the hormone leptin. This review serves as a comprehensive analysis of what is known about cannabinoid signaling in the hypothalamus, highlights gaps in the literature, and suggests future directions.

Association between dietary patterns and obesity: a longitudinal prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The obesity prevalence in South Korea in 2021 stood at 38.4%. South Korea faces unique challenges in providing essential and emergency guidelines for weight management because of stepping into an aging society. We aimed to determine the daily diet patterns among the general Korean population and to investigate the association between such patterns and different obesity. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 6539 adult participants (mean age 50.8 years, 52.9% male) with normal-weight adults were included from the Ansan-Ansung cohort of 10,030 Korean adults aged 40 or older and followed for an average of 11 years. Obesity was defined according to the criteria from the Korean Society for The Study of Obesity. Baseline dietary intake was assessed using a validated 103-item food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived from k-means cluster analysis. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, referring to white rice + baechu kimchi, participants from multigrain rice + baechu kimchi showed lower HR for obesity development (waist circumference defined-obesity; HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.95; body fat percentage defined-obesity; HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.98). Further analysis documented that except for body fat percentage defined-obesity, consuming milk or dairy products was linked to a reduced incidence of the other three obesity (body mass index defined-obesity; HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.99; waist circumference defined-obesity; HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.94; waist-to-hip ratio defined-obesity; HR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Following a diet that includes multigrain rice, fermented baechu kimchi, and dairy products is linked to a decreased risk of obesity in Korean adults. Public health programs and policies could incorporate these dietary recommendations, targeting specific population groups such as schoolchildren, adults, and the elderly. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the synergistic effects of various foods and their interactions within dietary patterns on obesity outcomes.

Comparative cognition: Free-living birds remember things past.

New research suggests that free-living blue and great tits remember foraging, including food type, location, and time since eating, even when event details were not known to be relevant for a subsequent assessment of memory, implicating the use of episodic memory in natural behavior.

Optimizing Neonatal Prefeeding Habilitation: A Holistic Approach Integrating Neonatal Learning Behaviors, Motor Development, and Evidence-Based Interventions.

Neonatal clinicians utilize prefeeding interventions with premature infants to promote a natural process of oral-sensory development, hoping to prepare the infant for future oral feeding. Prefeeding interventions require a holistic approach, ensuring infants are actively involved in learning. Therapists can achieve this by prioritizing the development of intentionality, which is the conscious pursuit of action driven by motivation. The authors present a conceptual model of six neonatal behavioral states of learning called the "Neonatal Intentional Capacities." This model illustrates how purposeful actions evolve into extended learning sequences and helps determine how well an infant can participate in learning experiences. The authors will elucidate the dynamic relationship between intentionality and the development of adaptive motor skills of prefeeding. Lastly, this article presents a consolidated and categorized grouping of current evidence-based prefeeding interventions. Utilizing the framework presented, the authors offer clinical guidance to support prefeeding treatment planning.

Japanese Diet Indices and Nutrient Density in US Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis with NHANES Data.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that Japanese dietary patterns are associated with high nutrient density. However, these studies were limited to the Japanese population. We examined this association in the US population. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. We included 3138 people aged 20-79 years. Food and nutrient intake data were based on the 24 h recall method. Three Japanese diet indices were used: (1) Japanese Diet Index (JDI, based on 9 food items), (2) modified JDI (mJDI, based on 12 food items), and (3) weighted JDI (wJDI, selected and weighted from mJDI food items). The nutrient density (ND) score was calculated based on the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients with the ND score were 0.24 (p < 0.001) for the JDI and 0.38 (p < 0.001) for the mJDI. The correlation coefficient between the wJDI and ND score was 0.48 (p < 0.001). The three Japanese diet indices were correlated with the ND score in all racial groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even among the US population, higher degrees of Japanese diet defined by the JDI or mJDI were associated with higher nutrient density.

Sugar-conditioned honey bees can be biased towards a nectarless dioecious crop.

The targeted pollination strategy has shown positive results in directing honey bees to crop flowers offering nectar along with pollen as reward. Kiwifruit is a functionally dioecious species, which relies on bees to transport pollen from staminate to pistillate nectarless flowers. Following the targeted pollination procedures recently validated, we first developed a mimic odor (KM) based on kiwifruit floral volatiles for which bees showed the highest level of generalization to the natural floral scent, although the response towards pistillate flowers was higher than towards staminate flowers. Then, in the field, feeding colonies KM-scented sucrose solution resulted in higher amounts of kiwifruit pollen collected by honey bees compared to control colonies fed unscented sucrose solution. Our results support the hypothesis that olfactory conditioning bees biases their foraging preferences in a nectarless crop, given the higher visitation to target flowers despite having provided the mimic odor paired with a sugar reward.

A non-memory-based functional neural framework for animal caching behavior.

The brain's extraordinary abilities are often attributed to its capacity to learn and adapt. But memory has its limitations, especially when faced with tasks such as retrieving thousands of food items-a common behavior in scatter-hoarding animals. Here, we propose a brain mechanism that may facilitate caching and retrieval behaviors, with a focus on hippocampal spatial cells. Rather than memorizing the locations of their caches, as previously hypothesized, we suggest that cache-hoarding animals employ a static mechanism akin to hash functions commonly used in computing. Our mathematical model aligns with the activity of hippocampal spatial cells, which respond to an animal's positional attention. We know that the region that activates each spatial cell remains consistent across subsequent visits to the same area but not between areas. This remapping, combined with the uniqueness of cognitive maps, produces persistent hash functions that can serve both food caching and retrieval. We present a simple neural network architecture that can generate such a probabilistic hash that is unique to the animal and not sensitive to environmental changes. This mechanism could serve a virtually boundless capacity for the encoding of any structured data.