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Objective: Letrozole, a potent aromatase inhibitor, is known to have the potential to modify male reproductive function by altering sex hormone levels. This study aimed to evaluate the semen and testicular characteristics and hormonal profile of aged Mrakhoz bucks (Capra hircus) treated with letrozole.Methods: Twelve Markhoz male goats, aged between 4.5 to 5.5 years with an average body weight (BW) of 61.05±4.97 kg were used for the study. Animals were randomly divided into two equal groups and subcutaneously received either 0.25 mg/kg BW of letrozole or a control every week for 2 months. The semen collections were performed every 10 days, and blood samples and testicular biometric records were collected at 20 days intervals.Results: Letrozole causes increased testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, testosterone to estradiol ratio, semen index and reaction time during the period from 20th to 60th days (p0.05). The serum luteinizing hormone levels, sperm viability, motility, and progressive motility increased, and estradiol levels decreased after 40th to 60th days of letrozole treatment (p

One of the major challenges of the food industry is to develop more sustainable processing technologies. To address this change, it is necessary to have more information about available innovative technologies and their effect on different food matrices and processes to ensure efficiency in food chain management. The aim of this research was to increase the understanding of the physical modifications induced by the combination of pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment and further drying in carrot and potato tissues by modelling the sorption isotherms and the textural properties. High coefficient of determination up to 0.980 for GAB and 0.977 for BET were obtained confirming the good ability of both models to describe the sorption isotherm of foodstuff. Either BET and GAB classified carrot in a III type shape and potato in II type shape for sorption isotherm. Mechanical properties for carrot and potato considering all PEF treatment and aw levels were reported and fitted by modified Fermi distribution. High coefficient of determination up to 0.995 confirm the ability of Fermi model to describe mechanical properties in relation to water activity (aw).

Background Cancer risk is determined by specific factors, including body weight and dietary patterns. Accordingly, the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research published updated cancer prevention recommendations in 2018 based on comprehensive reviews of modifiable behaviors associated with cancer risk. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which US adults meet these evidence-based recommendations and how adherence differs by weight status. Design This was a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants/setting Dietary intake data for 30,888 adults 18 years and older with normal body mass index (BMI), overweight, or obesity were analyzed. Main outcome measures Differences in dietary intakes and the proportion of adults meeting guidelines were compared across BMI categories. Statistical analyses performed Logistic regression and 1-way analysis of covariance were used to analyze differences in adherence to recommendations, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and family income as a percent of the federal poverty rate. Results Regarding fruit and nonstarchy vegetables, 62.8% of adults with normal BMI, 64.5% with overweight, and 70.1% with obesity fell short of recommendations. Regarding whole grains, 67.9% of adults with normal BMI, 70.2% with overweight, and 73.1% with obesity did not meet the recommendation. Regarding red meat, 36.7% of adults with normal BMI, 41.6% with overweight, and 43.5% with obesity consumed >18 oz/week, with a significant difference in mean intakes between adults with normal BMI and obesity (P Conclusions Few U.S. adults meet cancer prevention recommendations; adults with obesity are significantly less likely to do so. Future research should evaluate compounded risk resulting from obesity and poor dietary patterns inconsistent with current evidence-based guidelines, and inform targeted interventions to address these issues.

Background Globally, climate change is a challenge for the dairy sector and its effects are expected to have important consequences on the environmental performance of the dairy products value chains. At the same time, this sector significantly contributes to global warming and other environmental impacts. Scope and approach This paper addresses this twin challenge from a life cycle perspective, i.e. covering from dairy farms, dairy factory, distribution and retail, to consumption. To do so, literature reviews were done on the contribution of the sector to climate change and on the biophysical impacts of climate change on the dairy sector in the near term in Europe. Both reviews were linked to qualitatively analyse the interaction and connect in a matrix the biophysical impacts caused by the effects of climate change on the environmental performance of the sector. Key findings and conclusions Not surprisingly, dairy farms were identified as the major contributor to the total greenhouse gas emissions across the dairy value chains but also as the most vulnerable stage to climate change. Depending on the region, the dairy sector will face opportunities but also threats such as significant cows' heat stress, crop cultivation variability, on-farm water availability, cows' diseases, crop pests' pressure and product safety risk, which is associated with product losses and waste. Measures will be needed to mitigate them but with an environmental cost. The clear definition of the dairy sector-climate change interaction is the starting point to begin preparing this sector for a near-future under climate change conditions.

Background Climate change constitutes a complex challenge posing an urgent threat to our planet and life and creating an entirely different way of conceptualising the world and our chances to provide safe food within it. There are currently numerous studies dealing with the potential effect of increased temperature, extreme weather events and cascading events on food safety and subsequently human health. In contrast to food safety, the available data on the impact of climate change on food quality, including food spoilage, are very limited. Scope and approach This paper presents an overview of the potential impact of climate change on both food safety and microbial spoilage at various stages of the food chain. Among the different hazards related to climate change, mycotoxin and marine biotoxin contamination, environmental residuals derived from various anthropogenic activities and zoonosis diseases are identified as climatic-driven emerging risks to human life and discussed further in this paper. Global warming is projected to affect all microorganisms, including spoilage bacteria and fungi. Hence, this paper also discusses the potential increased risk of microbial spoilage for bulk dried foods and non-refrigerated processed foods which could be high susceptible to climate change in relation to growth of spoilage organisms. Key-findings and conclusions The paper concludes that climate change requires multidisciplinary approaches to gain in-depth knowledge and identify potential emerging risks. In addition, this paper goes beyond food safety and addresses an overlooked aspect of climate change, namely the microbiological spoilage of foods that may require a high level of preparedness by both the food industry and policy makers.

Background The health benefits of diets rich in fruits and vegetables (FV) are well established. Recent observational and intervention research suggests that FV consumption may also exert a positive effect on psychological well-being. Objective This study aimed to assess changes in mean Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) scores in response to consuming DGA recommended types and amounts of vegetables. It was hypothesized that increased vegetable consumption would increase mean SHS scores. Design This study investigated a secondary outcome of a randomized, parallel, non-blinded controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio to a provided vegetable intervention or attention control group. Participants/setting Men and women (n=75) aged 18-65 years, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, with low habitual vegetable consumption were recruited from Grand Forks, ND, December 2016 to January 2018, for this community-based study. Intervention The vegetable intervention consisted of an 8-week feeding phase during which participants were provided with vegetables in DGA recommended types and amounts. The attention control group was not provided vegetables but completed the same testing schedule as the vegetable intervention group. Main outcome measure Mean SHS scores were assessed before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses Mean SHS scores were analyzed using a 2-way factorial mixed linear model analysis of variance. Results A significant interaction between treatment and visit (P=0.015) revealed greater mean SHS scores at week 8 than at baseline in the vegetable intervention group (+0.23 ± 0.11 (mean difference ± standard error of the difference) but no change in the attention control group (-0.15 ± 0.11). Conclusions Greater mean SHS scores were observed after increasing vegetable consumption to meet DGA recommendations, suggesting that adhering to DGA vegetable guidance may help promote psychological well-being.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of bread as substrate for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthesis, establishing a valorization strategy for surplus bread, repurposing it within the food chain. Methods and Results Surplus bread was fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to produce GABA. Pediococcus pentosaceus F01, Levilactobacillus brevis MRS4, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum H64 and C48 were selected among 33 LAB strains for the ability to synthesize GABA. Four fermentation experiments were set up using surplus bread as such, added of amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes, modifying the pH or mixed with wheat bran. Enzyme-treated slurries led to the release of glucose (up to 20 mg g−1) and free amino acid, whereas the addition of wheat bran (30% of bread weight) yielded the highest GABA content (circa 800 mg kg−1 of dry weight) and was the most suitable substrate for LAB growth. The selected slurry was ultimately used as an ingredient in bread making causing an increase in free amino acids. Conclusions Besides the high GABA concentration (148 mg kg−1 dough), the experimental bread developed in this study was characterized by good nutritional properties, highlighting the efficacy of tailored bioprocessing technologies as means to mitigate food wastage. Significance and Impact of Study Our results represent a proof of concept of effective strategies to repurpose food industry side streams.

The association between dairy consumption and cancer mortality varies among studies and remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to examine the association between dairy consumption and total cancer and cancer-specific mortality. We sought eligible studies in PubMed and Web of Science databases for all publications through March 2021, and pooled relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. We identified 34 prospective cohort studies including 3,171,186 participants and 88,545 deaths. Compared with low milk consumption, high milk consumption was associated with higher cancer mortality in females (RR:1.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21) and people consuming high/whole-fat milk (fat content ≥ 3.5%) (RR:1.17; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.28). Increased risks of cancer-specific mortality were detected for liver (RR:1.13; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.26), ovarian (RR:1.32; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.55), and prostate (RR:1.23; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.48) cancers. Also, females with high consumption of fermented milk had a lower cancer mortality risk (RR:0.85; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.94). High cheese consumption was not associated with total cancer mortality, rather with higher colorectal cancer mortality (RR:1.22; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.46). There was no association between butter (RR:1.06; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.59) or total dairy product consumption (RR:0.99; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.03) and cancer mortality. Our results imply that high milk consumption, especially high/whole-fat milk, was associated with higher cancer mortality, while fermented milk consumption was associated with lower cancer mortality, and this was particularly evident in females. Consequently, further studies are warranted.

The need for adherence to a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern in the pediatric stage is discussed worldwide, being linked to a progressive incidence of noncommunicable diseases in adulthood. The aims of this systematic review were to summarize the healthy and/or sustainable dietary patterns, defined a priori, described in the literature for use during the pediatric stage; to evaluate the adherence to these dietary patterns; and identify the health-related benefits associated with adherence to these patterns. A literature search was carried out on Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science from 2010 up to 2021, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 128 articles were included according to the following criteria: participants 2–17 y old, healthy and/or sustainable dietary patterns defined by an a priori methodology; articles written in English or Portuguese; and published since 2010. Fifty instruments with 14 adaptations that measure adherence to healthy and/or sustainable dietary patterns in children and adolescents were found. The Mediterranean Diet was the most studied dietary pattern. Adherence to healthy and/or sustainable dietary patterns has wide variations worldwide. Most of the instruments described have been little studied at pediatric ages, reducing the ability to extrapolate results. Higher adherence to these dietary patterns was associated with lower body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, and metabolic risk. There is no consensus regarding the association with BMI. No studies have proofs of the sustainability characteristics of these instruments, it being necessary to produce a new sustainable instrument or test the association of the previous ones with, for example, the ecological footprint. Further validations of these instruments in each country and more prospective studies are needed to establish temporal relations with health-related outcomes. This systematic review was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42020221788.

Destructive outcomes of coronavirus pandemic call for medical research which can report all of the influential agents not only for the treatment of the disease but also preventing its severe impacts on the societal health in the most efficient manner. Zinc plays an integral role in the function of cellular enzymes and transcription factors. Owing to its anti-inflammatory and cellular immunity regulation activity, zinc is regarded to be effective on strengthening the immune system. Its crucial antiviral effects have long been established as well. Studies suggest that low serum zinc level predisposes the patient to severe COVID-19 infection, which makes patient’s zinc profile a potential determinant of prognosis and severity of this disease. Furthermore, zinc supplementation has indicated promising outcomes of coronavirus infection management. Zinc modulates cell-mediated immunity and participates in the killing of microorganisms in cytotoxic immune cells. Zn2+ has anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting IL-6 production. Although there is still not enough evidence, it seems that zinc could be a promising supplementary treatment for COVID-19 especially in zinc-deficient patients. The aim of this review is to clarify the role of zinc in pathogenesis and therapy of COVID-19 in detail.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. There are several risk factors for CVD, many of which are preventable, including sedentary lifestyles and poor diet. OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and sociodemographic variables such as age, sex and social class on the values of different cardiovascular risk scales. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study in 1584 Spanish workers in which the influence of different sociodemographic variables (age, sex, social class) and healthy habits (tobacco consumption, physical activity assessed with the IPAQ questionnaire, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet) on the values of different cardiovascular risk (CVR) scales (REGICOR, SCORE, DORICA, ERICE, heart age, and vascular age) was assessed. RESULTS: All the CVR scales showed better mean values as the level of physical activity increased, something similar occurring with the prevalence of altered values, in both sexes. High adherence to the Mediterranean diet also improved the mean values and prevalence of altered values in men and women. CONCLUSION: The Mediterranean diet and physical exercise decrease the probability of suffering a cardiovascular event and improve all the CVR scales analyzed in this study.

BACKGROUND: Caffeine can affect depressive symptoms and decision-making. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the relationship between caffeinated beverages consumption with depressive symptoms and decision-making styles. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 432 adults working in office environment. The questionnaire consisting of individuals’ socio-demographic attributes, the frequency and the amount of caffeinated beverages consumption, the “Epidemiological Research Center-Depression (CES-D) Scale” and the “Decision-Making Styles Scale” were used. The frequency and amount of caffeinated beverages were determined using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The participants were asked to choose which cup/mug they prefer to drink their caffeinated beverages and what amount they consume that beverage at a time. All the data were collected using online platforms. RESULTS: In the study, 76.7%of the participants were female and the mean age was 31.5±8.0 years. The average daily total caffeine intake of the participants was 425.8±461.4 mg and the total CES-D scale score was 17.7±11.2 points. It was found that as the amount of caffeine consumed increased, intuitive decision-making decreased and depressive symptoms increased (p

Diabetes prevention programs have been developed in the different countries and it is therefore necessary to gain a better understanding of factors affecting the effectiveness of these programs for each society. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the National Diabetes Control and Prevention Program (NDCPP) on the biochemical and anthropometric indices among a sample of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 384 patients with T2DM from the primary health care system of Tehran and Tabriz cities during January to June 2020, were included in the study. A two-part questionnaire consisting of items related to socio-economic and demographic characteristics was used and biochemical and anthropometric indices were measured at the beginning and the end of the 3-month intervention period. There was a significant difference in fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin glycosides (HbA1 C), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and weight before and after the NDCPP (P

As a major group of insects, locusts frequently cause agricultural damage, however, they have high economic value due to their rich nutritional content. In this paper, we systematically summarise the research results on the species, distribution, and functional composition of locusts in China over the past three decades and analyse the differences in research results in relation to experimental methods, locust species, and the experimental dates. In addition, we also introduce the methods for obtaining mass locusts, and discuss the edible, medicinal and feed usage of locusts, and prospect the exploitation of locust resources in order to provide a reference for locust-related research.

Black soldier fly (BSF) farming is emerging as a new farm enterprise in Kenya poised to provide high-quality and affordable alternative protein sources for animal feed production. Consequently, commercialisation and adoption require farmers to understand if the enterprise is economically viable. This study sought to assess the determinants of profitability of the BSF farm enterprise. A census survey was conducted whereby 34 well-established smallholder BSF farmers were interviewed. A double log regression analysis on the determinants of profitability of the BSF farm enterprise was done. The results revealed that 93.6% of the variation in enterprise gross margin was explained by the independent variables. Feed and household size contributed positively and significantly to the enterprise gross margin. Labour was significantly and negatively correlated to the enterprise gross margin. Farm size, gender, level of education, and age of the farmer did not significantly influence the gross margin of the enterprise. Furthermore, the survey showed that a 1% increase in man-hours spent in the BSF farming enterprise would result in a 0.34% reduction in the gross margin while a 1% increase in the usage of the rearing substrate would lead to a 1.38% increase in the gross margin. There is a need for farmers to reduce the man-hours spent in the BSF farms but at the same time increase significantly the utilisation of more rearing substrate to improve their profitability. However, a long-term socio-economic impact assessment on the BSF farming enterprise would be valuable to attract investors and interest in the insect production sector for animal feed.

Background Ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated with poor diet quality and chronic diseases. UPF falls into one of the four groups classified according to the extent and purpose of processing: Group 1 includes unprocessed and minimally processed foods (MPF); group 2 refers to processed culinary ingredients (PCI); group 3, processed foods (PF); and group 4, UPF. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) compared to two 24-hour dietary recalls to estimate dietary intake per NOVA food group in Mexican children and adolescents. Design This study is a secondary analysis of dietary data from a subsample of children and adolescents who participated in the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey Participants/setting The study participants were 217 children (5 to 11 years) and 165 adolescents (12 to 19 years) with complete information for the SFFQ and two 24 hour-dietary recalls (24DRs). Main outcome measures Daily averages of energy intake and % of energy intake for each NOVA category were calculated using the SFFQ and two 24DRs. Statistical analysis To assess relative validity, the SFFQ was compared with two 24DRs to estimate dietary intake per NOVA food group. Mean differences, Spearman correlations and intra-class correlations coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots for continuous variables and weighted kappa for ordinal variables were calculated. Results For percentage of energy intake, ICC in children and adolescents were moderate for MPF (ICC=0.47, ICC=0.56, respectively) and UPF (ICC=0.53, ICC=0.57, respectively). Bland–Altman plots indicated reasonably consistent agreement for UPF and MPF groups in children and adolescents. Classification by quintiles was acceptable in all groups. Conclusions Data from this study indicated reasonable relative validity of the SFFQ to rank the percentage of energy intake from MPF and UPF in Mexican children and adolescents.

Aim: In Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, a complex cascade of inflammatory responses is frequently observed following trauma. Numerous dietary agents have long been found to have potential in modulating inflammatory responses. This pilot study, designed an enteral formula with low inflammatory properties based on the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and evaluated its effect on inflammatory and metabolic factors in critically ill TBI patients. Methods: This Single-blind randomized controlled pilot study conducted at the Neurosurgical ICU of Shahid Kamyab Hospital (Mashhad, Iran). A total of 20 TBI patients were randomly assigned to receive either low-DII-score or standard formula at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The primary outcomes of the study included clinical status, inflammatory biomarkers, APACHE II, SAPS II, SOFA, and NUTRIC scores. Results: The trial groups did not differ significantly on baseline values. Following 14 days of intervention, there was a statistically significant decrease in the APACHE II, SAPS II, and NUTRIC scores and a significant increase in GCS score in the low-DII-score formula group compared to the standard formula group. Over two weeks, high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) values -2.73 (95% CI: -3.67, -1.79) mg/dL in the low-DII-score formula group vs. 0.65 (95% CI: -0.29, 1.58) mg/dL in controls. Moreover, the length of hospital stay was longer for the standard formula group than for the low-DII-score formula group. Conclusion: The low-DII-score formula improves inflammatory factors (serum hs-CRP) and metabolic biomarkers (LDL-c and FBS). Furthermore, clinical outcomes, including the length of hospital stay and disease severity appear to be enhanced.

Edible insects including termites form a suitable alternative for sustainable provision of animal protein to fight protein-energy malnutrition. It is as cardinal to study the food safety of edible termites as it is for any other food stuff. Twenty seven (27) samples were collected and analysed for total viable counts and Enterobacteriaceae. The microbial load was assessed using culture, microscopic and biochemical methods. The isolates identified in this study include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, yeasts other than Candida albicans and Zygomycetes. Investigation of the total viable counts and Enterobacteriaceae of open air traded edible termites revealed loads higher than those recommended for minced meat 5.7 to 6.7 log10 cfu/g. The mean ranges were between 6.87 and 9.29 log10 cfu/g for total viable counts and 6.64 and 8.537 log10 cfu/g for Enterobacteriaceae. The presence of E. coli suggests faecal contamination of the sample along the value chain whereas S. aureus, yeasts other than C. albicans, and Zygomycetes indicate unhygienic handling of the food samples. Heat treatments can reduce the loads but may not be effective for enterotoxins and recontamination of the sample is possible. Poor hygiene and sanitation by handlers may contribute to contamination and recontamination of Edible termites. Food safety and hygiene education on processing and handling practices that reduce microbial loads at collection sites, transportation and display points are important especially since termites are sold as ready to eat foods in African open air Markets. Legislation on open defecation, use of toilets and promotion of hand washing hygiene can effectively reduce the risk of contamination with gastrointestinal microflora from faecal matter.

The challenge of feeding over 9 billion humans by 2050 requires a ‘rethink’ of the current linear food production system. In the view of a circular economy, insects can provide a possible solution to valorise waste to produce new foods and materials, as well as the opportunity to solve some environmental problems. Tenebrio molitor (TM) is the first insect approved by the European Commission as a novel food and widely explored by the research world. Although mass production of TM is still not competitive compared to traditional protein sources, studies and companies in the sector are improving the entire production process to meet the growing need for alternative and sustainable protein foods. The use of food loss and waste to replace commercial feed in TM rearing can improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the production process. Furthermore, the exploitation of the variety of TM-based products can lead to the creation of new value chains and employment opportunities. In this review, we focus on the ability of TM to convert low-value substrates into novel foods and materials, as well as the possibility of using the TM rearing waste to obtain fertilisers and bioproducts, such as chitin and chitosan. TM capacity to degrade plastic waste such as polyethylene and polystyrene, thanks to its highly differentiated gut microbiota, is mentioned. Critical aspects related to sustainability and scaling-up of TM rearing are analysed. Hints on food safety of TM-based products are provided. Therefore, this study is a comprehensive review of TM multifunctionality and, at the same time, identifies possible ways to improve the economic and environmental impact of this insect with a circular economy perspective.

Background Obesity in older adults contributes to increasing comorbidities and decreased quality of life. There is limited research including older adult perspectives on weight loss. Objective The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of older adults’ perceptions and experiences related to weight loss immediately following a 6-month weight loss intervention. Design A qualitative research design utilizing semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a larger research study exploring weight loss and/or aerobic exercise on muscle inflammation. Participants /setting A sample of community-based older adults (n=11) in Southwestern Ohio were recruited from September 2018 through August 2019 following completion of a 6-month weight loss intervention. Eligible participants were >58 years, BMI > 27 kg/m2, sedentary with no cognitive deficits. Exclusions included cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and tobacco use. Analysis Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data. Results Three emergent themes included barriers and challenges to weight loss, which included caregiving roles, challenges with increasing protein intake, and ambivalence to change; personal strategies for success (portion control and meal flexibility); and external strategies for success (visual graphs as feedback measures, alternate measures of success, and social support). Conclusions The results of this qualitative study provide insight into older adults' experiences with weight loss which may be considered when designing weight management interventions. However, more research is needed to examine strategies to address the challenges identified by participants in this research study. Future qualitative research should also focus on weight loss perspectives of older adults in other racial and ethnic groups.

Several studies have shown the relationship between the aluminum exposure and the Alzheimer's disease. The gastrointestinal absorption of Aluminum (Al) is low. Also, If the renal filtering system works as needed, generally urine can be enough to eliminate overdose (rational over concentrations) of Al. But Al can be found in kinds of foods and drinks such as processed foods (because of additives, packaging materials, utensils…), fresh vegetables and fruits (because of soil) and even in drinking water therefore, in some cases, the Al level may pose a health risk. Chronic high concentration to Al exposure preferably intakes by oral, intravascular ways with also not having a good condition of Glomerular Filtering System of Kidneys (GFR). Nowadays, although mankind is having more Al by oral ways than past and many studies have been conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease(AD) or not. Therefore, this review is intended to provide a short summary of the works done in the past and it may warn people about Al intake in the next decade, therefore human can change their life to be more natural less industrial.

BACKGROUND: Quarantine and social distancing are important to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Being active, healthy and happy is a central part of managing daily challenges. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to improve understanding regarding the wellbeing of the elderly during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: For the literature review, keywords such as wellbeing and COVID-19 were searched for associations with terms such as elderly, ageing and old people. Only research published in peer-reviewed journals and written in English was considered in this study. The studies included in the analysis were only those published between the start of the pandemic and April 2021. RESULTS: From a total of 75 searches, eight studies fit the inclusion criteria. Elderly people are the population group most vulnerable to COVID-19, which threatens their lives and wellbeing. Technology such as artificial intelligence can maintain the wellbeing of the elderly. Lockdown, the lack of social interaction and the limited access to medications and health facilities can worsen the physical and mental health and the psychological wellbeing of the elderly. Conclusion: It is important to highlight elderly care and mitigation programmes related to physical activities and cognitive psychology to prevent mental and functional decline in older people. Further studies should focus on their quality of life and the wellbeing.

Maize is consumed world-wide as staple food, livestock feed, and industrial raw material. However, it is susceptible to fungal attack and at risk of aflatoxin contamination under certain conditions. Such contamination is a serious threat to human and animal health. Ensuring that the maize used by food industry meets standards for aflatoxin levels requires significant investment across the supply chain. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) form a critical part of a broader, integrated strategy for reduction of aflatoxin contamination. We reviewed and summarised the GAP of maize that would be effective and practicable for aflatoxin control within high-risk regions for smallholder farmers. The suggested practicable GAP for smallholder farmers were: use of drought-tolerant varieties; timely harvesting before physiological maturity; sorting to remove damaged ears and those having poor husk covering; drying properly to 13% moisture content; storage in suitable conditions to keep the crop clean and under condition with minimally proper aeration, or ideally under hermetic conditions. This information is intended to provide guidance for maize growers that will help reduce aflatoxin in high-risk regions, with a specific focus on smallholder farmers. Following the proposed guidelines would contribute to the reduction of aflatoxin contamination during pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages of the maize value chain.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that commonly contaminates cereals worldwide. Dietary exposure to DON is a subject of great public health concern, but studies on the health effects of chronic exposure to DON are not available. In this study, we investigated the connection between DNA methylation levels and DON exposure in children. The DNA methylation status of white blood cells from 32 children aged 2~15 years old in Henan, China, was profiled. A total of 378 differentially methylated CpGs were identified between the high and low DON exposure groups, and 8 KEGG pathways were found to be significantly enriched among the differentially methylated genes. In addition, the quantitative methylation of EIF2AK4, EMID2 and GNASAS was analysed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. The results showed that the methylation level of EIF2AK4 was significantly different between the two groups, and the methylation levels were associated with exposure to DON. Conclusively, our study found that chronic exposure to DON during childhood could affect DNA methylation levels.

Yogurt is one of the most widely consumed fermented products obtained from milk that has a positive effect on health due to its high nutritional value. Yogurt enrichment can play a major role in the developmentof consumers’ health level. Spirulina platensisis a blue-green microalga and is rich in protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant compounds, such as phycocyanin. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of phycocyanin extracted from S. platensis and persimmon powder on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of yogurt. For this purpose, the yoghurt samples were analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics. Samples without persimmon powder and containing higher amounts of phycocyanin (1% and 1.5%) had the highest acidity. The acidity values of all samples increased over time. The highest pH belonged to the control sample and the addition of different amounts of phycocyanin and persimmon powder caused a significant reduction in pH.In all time intervals, with the increase of persimmon powder and phycocyanin, the syneresis rate of samplesincreased though it was not significant compared to the control sample. Samples containing higher amounts of persimmon powder (codes 6 and 7) had higher dry matter, protein, and water holding capacity (WHC).On both studied days, the highest and the lowest viscosity belonged to treatment code 7 andcode 2, respectively (p≤0.05). Additionally, the viscosity of all treatments increased significantly from the first day to the fifteenth day over time (p≤0.05). The control sample had the highest lightness (L* ) and the treatment code 8 had the highest redness (a * ‌). In all time intervals, the highest hardness and springiness belonged to the control sample (p≤0.05). The results of sensory evaluation of the samples showed that on the first day, the color score of the control sample and treatment codes 5, 6 and 7 was significantly higher than other treatments (p≤0.05). On all days studied, the taste scores of the control sample and treatment codes 5 and 6 and the texture score of the control sample and treatment codes 6, 7, and 8 were significantly higher than other treatments (p≤0.05).Considering the sensory evaluation and protein content of the yogurt samples, treatment code 6 was selected as the best treatment. The results showed that phycocyanin extracted from S. platensis and persimmon powder is effective on the physicochemical and sensory properties of yogurt and can be used as an effective additive.

Introducción: Los objetivos de la presente investigación han sido estimar el contenido de vitamina K1 del menú ofertado en una residencia de ancianos y su adecuación a las recomendaciones, determinar sus fuentes dietéticas y clasificar los platos del menú. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Se ha estudiado la ingesta dietética de vitamina K1 de la planificación dietética en un centro asistencial público (Valladolid, España) El estudio dietético se realizó estimando la ingesta dietética teórica del menú basal ofertado durante 14 días consecutivos que consumían 138 personas mayores. El aporte de vitamina K1 se estimó mediante los datos de la tabla de composición de alimentos de Ortega-Anta y cols., 2010. Resultados: El aporte medio de vitamina K1 fue de 224 (desviación estándar, 128 µg/día) con una cantidad muy similar entre semanas y una gran variación entre días (97-586 µg/día). La principal fuente de este micronutriente fueron las verduras, en especial, las de hoja verde (acelgas, repollo, lechuga). El contenido de vitamina K1 del menú ofertado fue más de tres veces superior (320%) a la ingesta adecuada recomendada por la EFSA y más del doble (249-280%) según las ingestas dietéticas de la AESAN. Los grupos de alimentos que aportaron más vitamina K1 a la dieta fueron las verduras (41,7%) y las frutas (28,6%). Mediante la clasificación del Nutrition Care Manual se categorizaron los platos en 4 libres de vitamina K1, 23 con bajo contenido, 13 con un aporte moderado y 4 con una cantidad alta de este micronutriente. Conclusiones: En el menú ofertado en este centro residencial, la estimación del aporte dietético de vitamina K1 fue entre dos veces y tres veces superior a la recomendada (AESAN y EFSA). A largo plazo, la alta ingesta de vitamina K1 podría suponer beneficios en la salud asociados con enfermedades relacionadas con el envejecimiento.

Recent academic research presents a large volume of studies on the organic market from the perspective of consumers’ motivation and purchasing preferences. However, these studies adopt a competitive or cooperative approach, but overlook the institutional complexity of emerging markets. This study aims to investigate the organic food production chain of emerging countries from the perspective of coopetition, taking into account the influence of formal institution agents. We focused our analysis on the chain of the organic food products, with the organic ice-cream producer as the key node of the chain. It is a single-case study conducted through in loco interviews with participants in the organic food products’ chain, along with secondary data. The results show the influence of formal institution agents and non-financial incentives as primary drivers of entrepreneurial strategic decisions. We contributed to the coopetition literature by demonstrating the influence of formal institution agents on value creation and value capture in the organic chain.

As insect farming is becoming more popular in Europe and in the US, the use of food industry by-products in insects’ feed is drawing more attention. However, it is still unclear how to maximise the use of by-products in the feeds while meeting the nutritional requirements and maintaining profitable rearing yields with the current production technology. In this study, we conducted an experiment in Finnish small-scale cricket farming and laboratory conditions to determine whether five diet treatments, including by-product diets with barley mash and turnip rape, modify the overall fresh yield (kg), development time and feed conversion rate of the house crickets (Acheta domesticus). We discovered that the diets differed in the overall fresh cricket yield (kg) but not in the development time or the feed conversion rate of the crickets. The diets with a high proportion of by-product decreased the price of the feed but at the same time reduced the yield. Based on our results, complex by-product diets with the by-product proportion of 20-41% are the most suitable for house cricket rearing.

Environmental pollution is one of the major issues faced by all the countries throughout the world. To prevent the environment scarcity and crisis faced in day-to-day life due the increasing chemical industries, usage of chemicals and the effluents processed out after the treatment also consists of some trace elements in them. Hence the extraction of enzymes on natural basis forms an alternative criteria for the production of dye in order to reduce pollution which in turn helps to nourish and protect the environment for future generations. Hibiscus sabdariffa (L) has a rich source of anthocyanins which is further enhanced by callus production and synthesized by increasing the sucrose concentration. Anthocyanin pigments were extracted using acidified ethanol and the dye obtained was screened for GL-MS analysis and its dyeing process in textile industry. The study showed significance properties along with coloring nature on the clothes used. Color of anthocyanin pigment depends on pH maintained and also shows the adaptability towards the nature with varied environmental conditions

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are among the leading causes of coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies investigated the relationship between dietary antioxidants and the risk/odds of CHD, and contradictory results have been reported. Dietary antioxidant index (DAI) is a novel and reliable nutritional tool that examines the diet’s overall antioxidant capacity. Its validity was examined using serum total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DAI score and odds of CHD. METHODS: In this incidence case-control study, 320 individuals with a definitive diagnosis of CHD and 320 participants without CHD or related risk factors attending the same hospitals/polyclinics were selected as the case and control groups. We estimated the DAI by summing up six standardized intakes of major dietary antioxidants, including manganese, vitamin E, A, C, selenium, and zinc. RESULTS: Modeling DAI categorized according to the median (–0.38), in multi-adjusted model showed a significant protective association with the odd of CHD (OR = 0.72; 95%CI:0.51–0.99, p-value = 0.05). Also, modeling DAI as a continuous variable in multi-adjusted models (OR = 0.94;95%CI:0.90–0.95; p-value = 0.01) showed significant results. CONCLUSION: Using the DAI to investigate the relationship between dietary antioxidants and CHD can show more realistic results than a single study of antioxidants.

BACKGROUND: While evidence has been a highlight that obesity may be associated with the increased incidence of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), these data have depended on defective measures of obesity such as body mass index (BMI), and usually have not the well-known relationship between body composition with NAFLD. METHODS: In a case-control study of people aged 20– 65 years, we directly measured body composition (using bioelectrical impedance analysis), height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences who referred to radiology clinics in Kermanshah, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: Among 221 people examined, 103 cases with NAFLD and 119 as control were established. The risk of NAFLD was positively associated with higher BMI and the components of the body composition. These associations were strengthened after adjusting for potential confounders including gender, age, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity CONCLUSION: An increasing prevalence of obesity may be associated with the increasing incidence of NAFLD as observed in many populations. We observed an increased risk of NAFLD associated with increased BMI, central adiposity, and the fat component of weight, but found no association with nonfat mass.

Synbiotic supplementation can improve metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of synbiotic supplementation on the levels of asprosin, lipid profile, glucose, and insulin resistance in pregnant rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Rats were divided into three groups: control group (fed base chow), HFD group, and HFD + synbiotic group. Levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, and asprosin levels were measured. Birth weight of offspring in the HFD + synbiotic group was significantly lower than in the HFD group. Similarly, serum asprosin, insulin, insulin resistance, TG and total cholesterol levels in the HFD + symbiotic group were significantly lower than in the HFD group. Asprosin levels had a significant and positive correlation between food intake in the first ten days of the experiment and gestation period, fasting blood sugar (FBS), TG, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index. Moreover, asprosin levels had a significant and negative correlation with HDL and insulin levels. Results showed, synbiotic supplementation has beneficial effects on obese animals and improves weight gain during pregnancy, pup birth weight, FBS, insulin resistance and lipid profile. These advantages of synbiotic supplementation could be mediated by reducing serum asprosin levels.

Diet plays a central role in aging and in the prevention of age-related diseases. Specifically, dietary lipids have influence on processes like oxidative stress or inflammation. This review summarizes and compares the effects of lifelong feeding on three different fat sources, namely virgin olive oil, sunflower oil or fish oil (which differ in fatty acid profile and minor components content) in the pancreas, liver, alveolar bone and femur of old rats. Also, effects on longevity and causes of death are summarized. Animals fed on virgin olive oil had a lower number of β cells and insulin content in the pancreas, less liver fibrosis, less loss of alveolar bone, and greater bone mass density in the femur. In general, the markers of oxidative damage at the liver, pancreatic, gingival and systemic levels were also lower in animals fed on virgin olive oil compared to those treated with sunflower or fish oil. Finally, although the animals died from similar causes regardless of the experimental group, virgin olive oil increased lifespan compared to sunflower oil. Therefore, it is evidenced the chance to modulate the effects of the physiological aging process by diet and, more specifically, by dietary fat.

BACKGROUND: The strawberry (Fragaria×annanasa Duch.) is a fresh fruit of its attractive colour, good flavor and enrichment of nutrients in the world. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the 3,885 strawberry research papers both article and review types from Food Science and Technology category. METHODS: The data were searched and extracted from Web of Science database, and were analyzed by bibliometric science and visualization tools. RESULTS: Papers mainly written in English (3,754, 96.628%), were from 12,695 authors, 94 countries/territories, 2,689 organizations and in 168 Journals and book series. The top five Journals were Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (432, 11.12%), Food Chemistry (338, 8.7%), Postharvest Biology and Technology (245, 6.306%), Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (187, 4.813%) and Journal of Food Science (185, 4.762%), which each published more than 185 papers. The top five countries and regions were USA, Spain, Peoples R China, Italy and Brazil. The top five organizations were CSIC, ARS (USDA ARS), Univ Calif Davis, Univ Politecn Valencia and Zhejiang Univ. The top five authors were Battino Maurizio, Giampieri Francesca, Wang Shiow Y. (Wang, SY), Mezzetti Bruno and Carle Reinhold (Carle R), each published more than 23 papers. All keywords of the strawberry research from Food Science and Technology category were separated nine clusters for different research topics. CONCLUSIONS: The paper could provide a valuable guide for designing future studies, and is also useful for student identifying graduate schools and researchers selecting journals.

The association between dairy product consumption and cardiovascular health remains highly debated. We quantitatively synthesized prospective cohort evidence on the associations between dairy consumption and risk of hypertension (HTN), coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science through August 1, 2020, to retrieve prospective cohort studies that reported on dairy consumption and risk of HTN, CHD, or stroke. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled RR and 95% CI for the highest compared with the lowest category of intake and for a 1-serving/d increase in consumption. We rated the quality of evidence using NutriGrade. Fifty-five studies were included. Total dairy consumption was associated with a lower risk of HTN (RR for highest compared with lowest level of intake: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86, 0.95, I(2) = 73.5%; RR for 1-serving/d increase: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94, 0.97, I(2) = 66.5%), CHD (highest compared with lowest level of intake: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.00, I(2) = 46.6%; 1-serving/d increase: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.00, I(2) = 56.7%), and stroke (highest compared with lowest level of intake: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.96, I(2) = 60.8%; 1-serving/d increase: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99, I(2) = 74.7%). Despite moderate to considerable heterogeneity, these associations remained consistent across multiple subgroups. Evidence on the relation between total dairy and risk of HTN and CHD was of moderate quality and of low quality for stroke. Low-fat dairy consumption was associated with lower risk of HTN and stroke and high-fat dairy with a lower risk of stroke. Milk, cheese, or yogurt consumption showed inconsistent associations with the cardiovascular outcomes in high compared with low intake and dose–response meta-analyses. Total dairy consumption was associated with a modestly lower risk of hypertension, CHD, and stroke. Moderate to considerable heterogeneity was observed in the estimates, and the overall quality of the evidence was low to moderate.

Abstract: Rhododendron is a resourceful, evergreen shrub or a small tree with an ornate display of scarlet red or pale pink flowers that belongs to the family Ericaceae. Rhododendron plants are traditionally used to treat numerous human ailments like blood dysentery, headache, asthma, cough, stomachache, fever, inflammation and fungal infections. Rhododendron also has economic, medicinal, and pharmacological importance. Rhododendron has been regarded as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Apart from aesthetic and sacred values, from past times, Rhododendron juice was prepared from the flowers to curb allergies, treat diabetes and deal with inflammations. Recent studies have shown several promising activities particularly relaxant, digestive enzyme, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anticancer and antagonistic effects. With the rapidly growing popularity of Rhododendron arboreum, it is important to have a comprehensive reference for its nutritional benefits with the growing search for natural and healthy foods. This work aimed to review the recent advances in research carried out to date for the purposive evaluation of the nutritional quality and potential health benefits of Rhododendron arboreum for its utilization in food processing industries for composing novel value- added products, to achieve high consumer acceptability and health benefits.

This study aimed to review the scientific literature on the quality and safety of beef sold in retail, methodologies used for quality evaluation, and proposed interventions for the sector. Bibliographical research was performed in order to identify scientific articles using the electronic databases Ovid, PubMed, Scielo, LILACS, Scopus and Embase. Thirty-three articles were included in the review. Given the different dimensions of the studies, the results were organized into three categories, according to the following approaches: food, environment and handlers; consumers and selection criteria; and intervention strategies for the segment. The applied methodological strategies revealed inadequate conditions and neglect in several processing and operation stages that are fundamental to the maintenance of quality standards. The results confirm a worrying scenario and the presence of risks to consumers. Based on the studies evaluated, it is necessary to emphasize the consumer concern about the importance of the integrated information chain - all stages involved in the production process and meat distribution for retail meat stores. The reported conditions on different studies indicate the need for interventions, with a view to prevention of health risks, continued training of food handlers and transformation of evidenced realities. In this context, it is possible to point out the predominance of diagnostic studies, in contrast with interventional studies focused on the training / qualification of food handlers.

Background Nearly a third of young US children take multivitamin/mineral (MVM) dietary supplements, yet it is unclear how formulations compare with requirements. Objective Describe the number and amounts of micronutrients contained in MVMs for young children and compare suggested amounts on product labels to micronutrient requirements. Design Cross-sectional. Setting All 288 MVMs on the market in the United States in the National Institutes of Health’s Dietary Supplement Label Database in 2018 labeled for children 1 to Main outcome measures Number of MVM products and amounts per day of micronutrients in each product suggested on labels compared with requirements represented by age-appropriate Daily Values (DV). Micronutrients of public health concern identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2015-2020 (DGA 2015) and DGA 2020-2025 (DGA 2020) or those of concern for exceeding the upper tolerable intake levels. Statistical analyses Number of products and percent DV per day provided by each micronutrient in each product. Results The 288 MVMs contained a mean of 10.1 ± 2.27 vitamins and 4.59 ± 2.27 minerals. The most common were, in rank order, vitamins C, A, D, E, B6, B12; zinc, biotin, pantothenic acid, iodine, and folic acid. For micronutrients denoted by the DGA 2015 and DGA 2020 of public health concern, 56% of the 281 products containing vitamin D, 4% of the 144 with calcium, and none of the 60 containing potassium provided at least half of the DV. The upper tolerable intake level was exceeded by 49% of 197 products with folic acid, 17% of 283 with vitamin A, and 14% of 264 with zinc. Most MVMs contained many of 16 other vitamins and minerals identified in national surveys as already abundant in children’s diets. Conclusions A reexamination of the amounts and types of micronutrients in MVMs might consider formulations that better fill critical gaps in intakes and avoid excess.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by the progressive growth of renal cysts, leading to the loss of functional nephrons. Recommendations for individuals with ADPKD to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle are largely similar to those for the general population. However, recent evidence from preclinical models suggests that more tightly specified dietary regimens, including caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, and ketogenic diets, hold promise to slow disease progression, and the results of ongoing human clinical trials are eagerly awaited. These dietary interventions directly influence nutrient signaling and substrate availability in the cystic kidney, while also conferring systemic metabolic benefits. The present review focuses on the importance of local and systemic metabolism in ADPKD and summarizes current evidence for dietary interventions to slow disease progression and improve quality of life.

Objective Quality of life for patients with kidney failure is less than similar-aged, general population counterparts. A large part of the decrease in quality of life is from the change of diet and nutritional restrictions. One way to combat this decrease in quality of life is through oral nutrition supplements. Methods An ice-cream substitute product was developed for patients with kidney failure on peritoneal dialysis. The product consisted of an ice-cream–like base of rice milk, egg whites, evaporated coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla bean paste. Two flavors were then created: cinnamon and lemon. Both flavors were tested subjectively and objectively. Sensory taste testing was with peritoneal dialysis patients using a Likert scale ballot with a comment section. Texture analysis was completed using a CT3 Brookfield texture analyzer. The results from the sensory testing (taste, texture, overall acceptability) and the texture analysis were analyzed using paired-samples t-tests. Nutritional analysis for the product was calculated. Results The sensory test of taste, texture, and overall acceptability between the two flavors was not found to be statistically different between the cinnamon and lemon. Similarly, the objective results were also not statistically significant between the two flavors. Conclusion Based on the nutritional analysis, both the lemon and the cinnamon flavors were found to be "good" sources of protein when compared with the Food and Drug Administration's definition of a "good" source of protein. In addition, patients found the sensory aspects of both flavors to be slightly to moderately likable.

Abstract: Obesity is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a body mass index equal to 30 kg/m2 or greater. It is an important and escalating global public health problem. Obesity is known to cause low-grade chronic inflammation, increasing the burden of noncommunicable and possibly communicable diseases. There is considerable evidence that obesity is associated with an increased risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection as well as significantly higher COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. It appears plausible that controlling the chronic systemic low-grade inflammation associated with obesity may have a positive impact on the symptoms and the prognosis of COVID-19 disease in obese patients. Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a naturally occurring carotenoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. As a nutraceutical agent, it is used as a preventative and a co-treatment in a number of systemic neurological, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. This review article will discuss the pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection and the effect of ASTX on obesity and obesity-related inflammation. The potential positive impact of ASTX anti- inflammatory properties in obese COVID-19 patients will be discussed.

Exposure of newborns to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a public health concern. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of POPs in human milk collected from lactating mothers in Lebanon and to investigate the sociodemographic, nutritional, and other lifestyle determinants. Fifty-four breast milk samples were collected as per World Health Organization guidelines. A survey was used to assess the anthropometric and demographic characteristics of participants. Dietary habits were evaluated based on a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in milk samples with liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography. Among the screened POPs, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) was the only POP detected in breast milk samples and was found in only 17.9% of the samples, with a mean (SD) of 11.6 (5.0) μg/L and a range of 5.7 to 21.4 μg/L. Prepregnancy body mass index and age were positively associated with DDE contamination in breast milk. Women who consumed cereals at least two times per week had detectable DDE contamination in their breast milk. Consumption of potatoes and beans at least once per week was also associated with DDE contamination. Our study is the first to assess the presence of POPs in breast milk in Lebanon. The benefits of breastfeeding compensate for the low prevalence of DDE in the breast milk. Our findings highlight the high need to implement monitoring policies, good agricultural practices, and education programs for breastfeeding mothers.

Antioxidant supplementation has been identified as an important intervention for subfertile men. However, the effectiveness of different antioxidants in improving sperm quality remains unclear. In this study, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was designed to evaluate the effects of different antioxidants on sperm quality parameters in subfertile men. Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of antioxidants in subfertile men were searched in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to January 31, 2021. Eight antioxidants (folic acid, zinc, vitamin E, carnitine, selenium, coenzyme q10 [CoQ10], N-acetylcysteine, and vitamin C) and a placebo (control) were included in our study. A Bayesian NMA with random effects was performed for each outcome (sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology); the surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRAs) for the effectiveness of each intervention was applied to identify the optimal intervention. Eighteen studies with 1,790 subfertile men were included in the study. CoQ10 elicited a significant increase in sperm concentration (mean difference [MD] = 5.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05, 10.79) compared with the placebo; it achieved the highest rank in efficacy among all the antioxidants (SUCRA: 79.4%). With regard to sperm motility, carnitine (MD = 12.43; 95% CI 4.07, 20.26) and CoQ10 (MD = 7.33; 95% CI 0.35, 14.17) showed significant beneficial effects compared with the placebo; the efficacy of carnitine was the highest among all the antioxidants (SUCRA: 88.7%). With regard to sperm morphology, the efficacy of vitamin C tended to be the highest (SUCRA: 93.6%), although it did not show significant beneficial effect (MD = 7.73; 95% CI -0.94, 16.33) compared with the placebo. Overall, for subfertile men, CoQ10 and carnitine interventions showed better effectiveness in increasing sperm concentration and sperm motility, respectively. Significance The effectiveness of different antioxidants in improving sperm quality in subfertile men remains unclear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the effectiveness of different antioxidants on sperm quality parameters in subfertile men.

Food allergy affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide and presents a significant psychological and financial burden for both national and international public health. In the past few decades, the prevalence of allergic disease has been on the rise worldwide. Identified risk factors for food allergy include family history, mode of delivery, variations in infant feeding practices, prior diagnosis of other atopic diseases such as eczema, and social economic status. Identifying reliable biomarkers which predict the risk of developing food allergy in early life would be valuable in both preventing morbidity and mortality and by making current interventions available at the earliest opportunity. There is also the potential to identify new therapeutic targets. This narrative review provides details on the genetic, epigenetic, dietary and microbiome influences upon the development of food allergy and synthesizes the currently available data indicating potential biomarkers. While there is a large body of research evidence available within each field of potential risk factors, there are very limited number of studies which span multiple methodological fields, for example including immunology, microbiome, genetic/epigenetic factors and dietary assessment. We recommend that further collaborative research with detailed cohort phenotyping is required to identify biomarkers, and whether these vary between at-risk populations and the wider population. The low incidence of oral food challenge confirmed food allergy in the general population, and the complexities of designing nutritional intervention studies will provide challenges for researchers to address in generating high quality, reliable and reproducible research findings., Funding for this work was provided by the European branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI, Europe), as this work was developed by an expert group of ILSI Europe.

Almost 40% of the adult population in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Diet is a modifiable factor which is known to affect cancer risk and recurrence. Yet, little is known about how diet influences cancer treatment outcomes. Intermittent fasting, characterized by periods of abstaining from foods and beverages alternated with periods of ad libitum intake, when adopted in the context of chemotherapy, has shown promise in pre-clinical models resulting in decreased vomiting, diarrhea, visible discomfort, and improved insulin sensitivity and efficacy of chemotherapeutic treatment. Although intermittent fasting during receipt of chemotherapy has been well-established in pre-clinical models, limited numbers of human studies are now reporting. This review aims to survey the current data examining the effect of intermittent fasting on chemotherapy efficacy, patient treatment outcomes, patient centered outcomes and circulating biomarkers associated with cancer. Available data show that periodic fasting, a form of intermittent fasting, may hold potential to improve effectiveness of chemotherapy, decrease treatment related side effects and cancer promoting factors such as insulin, while ameliorating treatment related decreases in quality of life and daily functioning. Larger controlled periodic fasting trials, including exploration of alternate forms of intermittent fasting, are needed to better elucidate the effect of intermittent fasting on treatment and patient outcomes during chemotherapy.

Abstract: Kefir is produced through the fermentation of milk using kefir grain as a starter culture. Kefir grains include heterogeneous microorganisms embedded in a polysaccharide matrix called kefiran which is considered a biofilm; it also has many uses due to its therapeutic values. Kefiran is a microbial exopolysaccharide (EPS) obtained from the flora (acid-lactic bacteria and yeasts) of kefir grains and glucose units, in almost the same proportion. Kefiran has prebiotic nature agitating the growth of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract of the human entity. It extends certain therapeutic benefits by balancing the microbiota in the intestine. This review presents the most recent advances regarding kefir and kefiran, their cultural condition, biological activities, and potential applications in the health and food industries.