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Sander lucioperca represents a potential candidate for aquaculture in Moroccan freshwater, but information concerning its diet and feeding habits is still lacking. This study therefore aims to contribute to the knowledge of the feeding ecology of this invasive species in Al Massira Reservoir, with particular emphasis on seasonal and intraspecific diet variation. Analysis of stomach contents revealed that the pike perch diet consists of various prey items, with an abundance of Lepomis gibbosus. However, S. lucioperca is also an opportunistic predator, capable of consuming other food resources when they become available in its habitat. This opportunistic behavior may account for the successful establishment of this species' population in a large reservoir, despite the coexistence of other carnivorous fish species. The dietary composition indicated a carnivorous diet with considerable seasonal variation. There was no significant sex-related or ontogenetic variation in the diet. The feeding intensity is similar between males and females, as well as across different size classes, but it varies according to the seasons. The results provide fundamental information about the feeding habits of this species, which is used for artificial culture research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: In poultry diets, copper is an essential nutrient that is critical for various physiological functions. Although copper sulfate is commonly used due to its cost-effectiveness, organic copper sources are gaining popularity because of their superior production outcomes and environmental benefits. Nevertheless, understanding the distinct bioaccessibility of inorganic and organic copper in diverse dietary setting remains limited. This study investigated the bioaccessibility of copper sulfate, copper amino acid chelate, and copper proteinate in the intestine via in vitro digestion and in situ dialysis. The results showed significant differences in the molecular size distribution of compounds formed by different copper salts within the intestinal environment, thereby leading to varying bioaccessibility. Copper sulfate has a bioaccessibility of 47 % ± 4%, which is significantly lower than copper amino acid chelate and copper proteinate (63% ± 5%, and 60% ± 4%, respectively) in purified diet systems. Similarly, in whey protein systems, sulfate records 54% ± 10% bioaccessibility compared to 78% ± 9% and 76% ± 5% for copper amino acid chelate and copper proteinate. Coexisting feed ingredients have a significant impact on copper bioaccessibility. Copper sulfate forms precipitates, reducing its bioaccessibility to 34% ± 1% in sodium nitrate solution. The addition of digestive enzyme increases the bioaccessibility of copper sulfate to 81% ± 2% by providing organic ligands. Digestive enzyme also enhanced the bioaccessibility of copper proteinate from 36% ± 4% to 81% ± 4% by degrading its ligands. However, feed ingredients may decrease copper bioaccessibility by forming macromolecular complexes with copper, as all the organic ligands can competitively bind with copper in the intestine. These findings emphasize the importance of considering copper salt types and diet composition in animal nutrition practices.

As the top predator of freshwater ecosystems, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) plays a vital role in maintaining food web structure and ecosystem stability. Understanding the dietary composition and dynamics of the Eurasian otter is crucial for comprehending its ecosystem function and interspecies interactions, providing vital information for determining conservation and management strategies. Currently, DNA metabarcoding technology has been extensively applied in dietary studies as a more effective and accurate method for identifying prey species. However, there remains an insufficient amount of research on otter diet using this technology, especially in Northeast China. In this study, we analyzed the vertebrate dietary composition and spatial variation of otters during the winter in Northeast China using DNA metabarcoding technology. We confirm 106 fecal samples belonging to Eurasian otter DNA from 118 putative otters fecal samples, and then performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications using vertebrate universal primers with the otter blocking primer (OBS1) and the human blocking primer (HomoB) to the sequence. Subsequently, high-throughput sequencing was performed to analyze the dietary composition of Eurasian otter. We identified a total of 34 prey taxa, including 31 fish, 2 frog and 1bird. Our results showed that the winter diet of the Eurasian otter was dominated by fish (60.11 %), (e.g., Cottidae, Cyprinidae), followed by Ranidae (39.88 %). Furthermore, geographical variations in dietary preferences were observed. This study confirms that Eurasian otter is a generalist piscivorous predator, and that its diet could be related to the availability of resources in the habitat. This study enriches the information on the diet of Eurasian otter, and can be used to provide a reference for the development of effective conservation strategies. At the same time, it confirms the reliability of the fecal DNA metabarcoding technique for carnivore predation analysis, and provides a new perspective for the investigation and research of otters and other mammals.

ObjectivesMethodsResultsDiscussionObservational studies suggested a potential correlation between dietary intake and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but conflicting findings exist and causality remains unclear. Here, we performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the causal impact of relative intake of (i) carbohydrate, (ii) fat, and (iii) protein on ALS risk.The genome-wide association summary statistics of three dietary macronutrient intake traits and ALS were obtained. Initially, forward and reverse univariable MR (UVMR) analysis were conducted using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary approach, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, and maximum likelihood. Subsequently, multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was performed to assess the independent causal effects of each dietary. Additionally, diverse sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate the reliability of the MR analyses.The forward UVMR analysis conducted by IVW indicated that relative carbohydrate intake significantly increased ALS risk. Furthermore, results from three other MR methods paralleled those from IVW. However, the other two dietary intake traits did not have a causative impact on ALS risk. The reverse UVMR analysis indicated that ALS did not causatively influence the three dietary intake traits. The MVMR analysis showed that after adjusting for the effects of the other two dietary intake traits, relative carbohydrate intake independently and significantly increased ALS risk. Sensitivity tests indicated no significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.MR analysis supported relative carbohydrate independently increasing ALS risk. Nevertheless, further validation of this finding in future large cohorts is required.Abbreviations: ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; CI: confidence interval; GWAS: genome-wide association study; IV: instrumental variable; IVW: iverse variance weighted; MR: Mendelian randomization; MVMR: multivariable Mendelian randomization; OR: odds ratio; RCT: randomized controlled trial; SNPs: single-nucleotide polymorphisms; UVMR: univariable Mendelian randomization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Diet plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. Our hypothesis was that the intake of some macronutrients, vitamins, or mineral elements is associated with MAFLD. Patients with MAFLD can be diagnosed based on the evidence of hepatic steatosis and if they meet any of the three additional criteria of overweight/obesity, diabetes mellitus, or metabolic dysregulation. Diets were recorded using photographs and diaries of meals for seven consecutive days. The consumed dietary composition was compared with the recommended intake according to the China Food Composition Tables (Standard Edition) version 2019 and the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes version 2013, and its association with MAFLD was assessed by logistical regression analyses. A total of 229 MAFLD patients and 148 healthy controls were included in this study. MAFLD patients, compared with that by non-MAFLD participants, consumed more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (p < 0.001), vitamin E (p < 0.001), and iron (p = 0.008). The intake of PUFAs (OR = 1.070, 95 % CI: 1.017–1.127, p = 0.009) and vitamin E (OR = 1.100, 95 % CI: 1.018–1.190, p = 0.016) was positively associated with MAFLD. In addition, the percentages of individuals who consumed PUFAs (p = 0.006), vitamin E (p < 0.001), or iron (p = 0.046) above the recommended intake were higher among the individuals with MAFLD. Daily intake of PUFAs > 11 % (OR = 2.328, 95 % CI: 1.290–4.201, p = 0.005) and vitamin E > 14 mg (OR = 2.189, 95 % CI: 1.153–4.158, p = 0.017) was positively correlated with MAFLD. Patients with MAFLD consumed more PUFAs, vitamin E, and iron in their daily diet. Excessive consumption of PUFAs and vitamin E might be independent risk factors for the incidence of MAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary analysis in wildlife is fundamental for understanding their flexible response to seasonal changes and developing effective conservation management measures. Taihangshan macaque (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) is the northernmost population of rhesus macaque, currently only distributed in the southern Mt. Taihangshan area. This area belongs to a semi‐arid region resulting in limited plant food availability for Taihangshan macaques, with seasonal variation. Herein, we used a chloroplast trnL DNA metabarcoding approach to identify the plant diet diversity and composition from 100 fecal samples of Taihangshan macaque in four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) from 2020 to 2021. The results revealed that (1) a total of 48 distinct families, 88 genera, and 52 species within the 105 food items that were consumed by Taihangshan macaques throughout the year; (2) the diversity of food items exhibited significant differences across the four seasons; (3) Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae, Fagaceae, and Poaceae are the preferential food items for Taihangshan macaques and have different relative abundances, fluctuating with seasonal variation. DNA metabarcoding can expand our understanding of the repertoire of food items consumed by Taihangshan macaques by detecting some consumed food items in this population that were not yet discovered using traditional methods. Therefore, the integrative results from traditional methods and DNA metabarcoding can provide a fundamental understanding of dietary composition to guide the conservation management of Taihangshan macaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Comprehensive individual health assessments are required following reintroduction to enhance ex situ species conservation. Diet directly affects the health of wildlife, which can be monitored by fecal microbe analysis. In this study, the association between the gut microbiota and the dietary components of a wild Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) population was evaluated. It was shown through 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing that the gut microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with Psychrobacillus accounting for the largest proportion at the genus level. Microscope observations showed that the relative density of Nymphoides peltata in the fecal matter was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Firmicutes. This study provides in-depth insight into the relationship between dietary composition and gut microbiota of wild E. davidianus, which offers guidance for the reintroduction of this endangered species to its historical habitat in China. Reintroduction has been successful in re-establishing several endangered wild animals in their historical habitats, including Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus). Continuous monitoring of reintroduced individuals is essential for improving the sustainability of ex situ conservation efforts. Despite an increased recognition of the significance of the gut microbiome for animal health, the correlation between diet and the gut microbiome in E. davidianus is unclear. In this study, 15 fresh fecal samples of E. davidianus were collected from Tianjin Qilihai Wetland and the association between dietary and gut microbiota composition was evaluated. Microscopic observations showed that Nymphoides peltata [relative density (RD = 0.3514), Phragmites australis (RD = 0.2662), Setaria viridis (RD = 0.1211), and Typha orientalis (RD = 0.1085) were the main dietary plants in the fecal samples. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing showed a predominance of the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and the genus Psychrobacillus (26.53%) in the gut microbiota. The RD of N. peltata was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Firmicutes (p = 0.005) and the genus UCG-005 (p = 0.024). This study indicates a close association between food digestion and nutrient intake, providing basic monitoring data for the full reintroduction and recovery of wild E. davidianus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pet food manufacturers aim to balance the palatability with the nutritional value of their products. Ensuring that young canines receive the best nourishment is crucial, while also promoting long-lasting engagement and satisfaction during mealtime. The study aimed to investigate if the nutritional content of food can affect food preferences in 2-month-old Sharplanina shepherd dogs and the development of neophobia when introduced to a new diet. Three different dietary plans were tested, each with varying percentages of animal-derived proteins (97% in A, 77% in B, and 94% in C). Observations of behavior were documented on camera at the beginning and end of a 10-day feeding cycle. The observations were made during the scheduled feeding times of 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. According to the study, puppies showed neophobic behavior when a new diet was introduced. The puppies displayed a notable decrease in meal rate of consumption, heightened distraction during diet consumption, and increased hesitation on the first day of each new diet, specifically on day 9 and day 10. Post-consumption interest peaked significantly on day 9 and day 10, particularly when dogs consumed diet C. Through the study, it was observed that Diet C had an impact on the puppies' feed preferences, indicating a possible link between the diet's nutritional content and their food preferences. Based on the study results, it appears that puppies need at least 9 days to reduce neophobia and adapt to new food flavors and feeding schedules. • Single pan test was used to examine feeding behavior in puppies. • The puppies experienced neophobia at the beginning of observation period. • Adapting to new food takes at least 9 days. • Diet with 94% animal derived proteins increased puppies' feed preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dietary analysis in wildlife is fundamental for understanding their flexible response to seasonal changes and developing effective conservation management measures. Taihangshan macaque (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) is the northernmost population of rhesus macaque, currently only distributed in the southern Mt. Taihangshan area. This area belongs to a semi‐arid region resulting in limited plant food availability for Taihangshan macaques, with seasonal variation. Herein, we used a chloroplast trnL DNA metabarcoding approach to identify the plant diet diversity and composition from 100 fecal samples of Taihangshan macaque in four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) from 2020 to 2021. The results revealed that (1) a total of 48 distinct families, 88 genera, and 52 species within the 105 food items that were consumed by Taihangshan macaques throughout the year; (2) the diversity of food items exhibited significant differences across the four seasons; (3) Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae, Fagaceae, and Poaceae are the preferential food items for Taihangshan macaques and have different relative abundances, fluctuating with seasonal variation. DNA metabarcoding can expand our understanding of the repertoire of food items consumed by Taihangshan macaques by detecting some consumed food items in this population that were not yet discovered using traditional methods. Therefore, the integrative results from traditional methods and DNA metabarcoding can provide a fundamental understanding of dietary composition to guide the conservation management of Taihangshan macaques.

Objective: To explore the risk factors of duodenogastric reflux (DGR) in relation to different dietary habits. Methods: A total of 106 patients with symptoms of DGR who underwent electronic gastroscopy from June 2019 to June 2020 were selected and divided into the DGR group (n = 33) and the non-DGR group (n = 73) according to the diagnosis of bile reflux. Questionnaires were used to collect the basic information and dietary habits of the patients, including age, gender, body mass index, place of residence, comorbidities, dietary composition, salt intake, smoking and drinking consumption. The total bile acid (TBA) and cholesterol (CHO) of the gastric juice were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyser, with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used for the serum cholecystokinin, gastrin and gastrin levels. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to predict the attendant DGR risk factors. Results: There was no significant difference in age or gender between the DGR and the non-DGR groups (P > 0.05). The proportion of patients living in the Bashang region was significantly higher in the DGR group (78.79%) than in the non-DGR group (38.36%) (P < 0.05). The levels of TBA and CHO in the gastric juice and the cholecystokinin and gastrin levels in the serum of the DGR group were higher than those in the non-DGR group, while the serum motilin levels were significantly lower in the DGR group than in the non-DGR group (P < 0.05). The univariate analysis indicated that the proportion of patients with daily consumption of dairy products and fried foods, a high salt intake and smoking and drinking consumption were significantly higher in the DGR than in the non-DGR group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The daily consumption of dairy products and a preference for fried food are independent risk factors for the occurrence of DGR (odds ratio ≥ 1, P < 0.05).

Knowing the diet of endangered wild animals is a prerequisite for species-specific conservation and habitat management. The Sichuan partridge Arborophila rufipectus is a globally endangered Galliformes species endemic to the mountains of southwest China. Existing information on the diet of this species is biased and fragmented owing to traditional observation methods. Little is known about their dietary composition or how they respond to temporal variations in food resources throughout the year. In this study, a dietary analysis was performed on 60 fecal samples using DNA Metabarcoding of invertebrates and plants to determine the primary animal and plant components of the diet across 3 critical periods of adult life history (breeding, postbreeding wandering, and overwintering). Preys from the dipteran order, followed by the lepidopteran and araneaen spp. were the predominant, animal-derived foods. Symplocos , Rubus , Celastrus , Holboellia , and Actinidia spp. supply a large abundance of fruits and seeds for this omnivorous bird. Substantial temporal dietary changes among the 3 periods and a general shift toward lower dietary diversity during the breeding season were observed, suggesting that the Sichuan partridge can adjust their diet according to the availability of food resources and their own needs. Characterizing the composition and seasonal changes in Sichuan partridge diets informs the habitat management of native flora (the plant taxa that can generate berries and seeds, such as Symplocos , Rubus , Celastrus , and Holboellia , which are likely of conservation interest) to achieve full life-cycle conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Public interest in the way food is produced on the farm and processed along the food-production chain is increasing. The analysis of isotopic signatures (13C) in cow tail hair provides a method to reconstruct the dietary proportion of maize in cow diets. Based on this, we further investigated whether there is a relationship between isotopic signatures in cow tail hair or farm slurry and the proportion of maize of the total utilized agricultural area per farm [%]. We did an on-farm survey on 17 dairy farms in coastal Northwest Germany and collected cow tail hair from dairy cows and slurry samples on each farm. The farms differed in their feeding regime (C3 vs. C4 plants), their site conditions (sandy soil = ‘Geestland’; organic soil = ‘Peatland’; clayey soil = ‘Marshland’), and in the area cultivated with maize as a proportion of the total utilized agricultural area per farm. Results We found a positive relationship between δ13C values in both cow tail hair and slurry and the annual dietary proportion of maize (R 2 = 0.67; and R 2 = 0.63). Furthermore, we confirmed that there was a relationship between δ13C values in cow tail hair and area of maize as a proportion of the total utilized agricultural area per farm (R 2 = 0.69). Conclusion Our findings suggest a general applicability of using isotopic signatures (13C) along a wide gradient of site conditions and productions systems in practice.

• Exposure to hydrogenated vegetable fat altered the fatty acids in the head of flies. • Trans fatty acids in the heads of flies caused changes in monoamines. • Hydrogenated vegetable fat induces depression-like behaviors. • Hydrogenated vegetable fat increases mortality and decreases hatching in flies. Given the importance of understanding the disorders caused by trans fatty acids (TFAs), this study sought to add different concentrations hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) to the diet of Drosophila melanogaster during the developmental period and evaluate the effects on neurobehavioral parameters. Longevity, hatching rate, and behavioral functions were assessed, such as negative geotaxis, forced swimming, light/dark, mating, and aggressiveness. The fatty acids (FAs) present in the heads of the flies were quantified as well as serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DA) levels. Our findings showed that flies that received HVF at all concentrations during development showed reduced longevity and hatching rates, in addition to increased depression-like, anxious-like, anhedonia-like, and aggressive behaviors. As for the biochemical parameters, there was a more significant presence of TFA in flies exposed to HVF at all concentrations evaluated and lower 5HT and DA levels. This study shows that HVF during the developmental phase can cause neurological changes and consequently induce behavioral disorders, thereby highlighting the importance of the type of FA offered in the early stages of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reintroduction has been successful in re-establishing several endangered wild animals in their historical habitats, including Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus). Continuous monitoring of reintroduced individuals is essential for improving the sustainability of ex situ conservation efforts. Despite an increased recognition of the significance of the gut microbiome for animal health, the correlation between diet and the gut microbiome in E. davidianus is unclear. In this study, 15 fresh fecal samples of E. davidianus were collected from Tianjin Qilihai Wetland and the association between dietary and gut microbiota composition was evaluated. Microscopic observations showed that Nymphoides peltata [relative density (RD = 0.3514), Phragmites australis (RD = 0.2662), Setaria viridis (RD = 0.1211), and Typha orientalis (RD = 0.1085) were the main dietary plants in the fecal samples. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing showed a predominance of the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and the genus Psychrobacillus (26.53%) in the gut microbiota. The RD of N. peltata was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Firmicutes (p = 0.005) and the genus UCG-005 (p = 0.024). This study indicates a close association between food digestion and nutrient intake, providing basic monitoring data for the full reintroduction and recovery of wild E. davidianus.

The food habits of the blue swimming crab, Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) were investigated using specimens collected from trawl catches in the north-east of the Persian Gulf, from June 2018 to May 2019. Feeding habits of 304 adult female crabs, ranging from 2.6 to 8.7 cm in carapace length, were analysed. The stomach content of examined crabs showed to consist of crustaceans, fish, molluscs, unidentifiable material, sea grass and foraminiferans. We realized that the vacuity index did not show significant differences between ovigerous and non-ovigerous females (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, there was a significant difference in the vacuity index between barnacle-carrying crabs — Chelonibia testudinaria — and crabs without barnacles (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference observed in the quantity of the eaten foods between large and medium-sized groups of crabs. But a significant difference was observed between large- and small-sized crabs, and small- and medium-sized crabs. Moreover, significant differences were observed in food items between barnacle-carrying crabs and crabs without barnacles. Also, the percentage of empty stomachs was higher in ovigerous females than in non-ovigerous females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal microbial population is recognized for its impact on cancer treatment outcomes. Little research has reported microbiome changes during cancer progression or the interplay of disease progression, dietary sugar/fat intake, and the microbiome through surgery and chemotherapy. In this study, the murine gut microbiome was used as a model system, and changes in microbiome diversity, richness, and evenness over the progression of the cancer and treatment were analyzed. Mice were categorized into four diet cohorts, combinations of either high or low sucrose and high or low omega-3 fatty acids, and two treatment cohorts, saline vehicle or chemotherapy, for a total of eight groups. Fecal samples were collected at specific timepoints to assess changes due to diet implementation, onset of cancer, lumpectomy, and chemotherapy. Akkermansia muciniphila abundance was very high in some samples and negatively correlated with overall Amplicon Sequence Variant (ASV) richness (r(64) = −0.55, p = 3 × 10−8). Throughout the disease progression, ASV richness significantly decreased and was impacted by diet and treatment. Alpha-diversity and differential microbial abundance were significantly affected by disease progression, diet, treatment, and their interactions. These findings help establish a baseline for understanding how cancer progression, dietary macronutrients, and specific treatments impact the murine microbiome, which may influence outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public interest in the way food is produced on the farm and processed along the food-production chain is increasing. The analysis of isotopic signatures (13C) in cow tail hair provides a method to reconstruct the dietary proportion of maize in cow diets. Based on this, we further investigated whether there is a relationship between isotopic signatures in cow tail hair or farm slurry and the proportion of maize of the total utilized agricultural area per farm [%]. We did an on-farm survey on 17 dairy farms in coastal Northwest Germany and collected cow tail hair from dairy cows and slurry samples on each farm. The farms differed in their feeding regime (C3 vs. C4 plants), their site conditions (sandy soil = 'Geestland'; organic soil = 'Peatland'; clayey soil = 'Marshland'), and in the area cultivated with maize as a proportion of the total utilized agricultural area per farm. Results: We found a positive relationship between δ13C values in both cow tail hair and slurry and the annual dietary proportion of maize (R2 = 0.67; and R2 = 0.63). Furthermore, we confirmed that there was a relationship between δ13C values in cow tail hair and area of maize as a proportion of the total utilized agricultural area per farm (R2 = 0.69). Conclusion: Our findings suggest a general applicability of using isotopic signatures (13C) along a wide gradient of site conditions and productions systems in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed microhabitat use for different age classes between climatic seasons and compared the diversity of prey consumed by adult males and females of Craugastor berkenbuschii in a tropical stream in southeastern Mexico. The data was collected in ten transects of 100 x 15 m, separated from each other by 25 m of the distance between them. Day and night sampling was carried out monthly between September 2017 and august 2018. For each observed individual, we recorded the sex, age class, and microhabitat used at the time of the sighting. The consumed prey was extracted by means of in situ stomach washings. We registered a total of 437 individuals; 165 were adults, 162 were juveniles, and 110 were young. The microhabitats used were rock, litter, soil, trunk, branch, leaves, and root, of which rock was the most used regardless of the time of year and age classes. Twenty-one orders of prey were identified, 19 orders in females and 11 in males. The true diversity index (1D) showed similar values for males and females, with 9.67 and 9.08 respectively. The average taxonomic distinctness index (Δ+) determined that females consume a greater diversity of prey than males, with 5.12 and 4.25, respectively. The results show that the different age classes of C. berkenbuschii take advantage of a wide variety of microhabitats between climatic seasons and that there are differences between the prey consumed between adult males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Tanzania–Zambia (TANZAM) Highway traversing Mikumi National Park (MINAPA) has been a concern for wildlife managers since it was first paved in 1973–1974. After its upgrade in 1989–1990, researchers have documented increasing traffic resulting in considerable animal injuries and mortalities. Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) in MINAPA use the road as the bridge to and from foraging areas, therefore in addition to the risk of mortality road use could potentially have significant influence on their feeding behavior. However, knowledge on the influences of the TANZAM highway in the feeding behavior of yellow baboons is sparse. Using focal animal sampling techniques, we collected data on feeding and foraging behavior of two habituated troops of yellow baboons to examine to what extent the TANZAM highway is important in their feeding and foraging behavior. Results showed that in relation to habitat availability, visitation to habitat types reflect actual habitat choice of baboons. In general, yellow baboons less frequently visit and spent less time on the highway than natural habitats. Whenever they were on the highway, adult females and subadult males engage more into feeding, resting and socializing, while adult males were more vigilant. The major dietary compositions were fruits, seeds, leaves, sap, and invertebrates, almost exclusively collected from natural habitats, foods from the highway were opportunistically consumed. This study provides empirical evidence and concludes that yellow baboons do not directly depend on the highway for food, rather they use the TANZAM highway as normal part of their home range. However, its location near sleeping sites may have significant impact on baboons' activity budget. With these findings, we recommend strict implementation of rules against park littering and animal feeding in protected areas traversed by highways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cladocera Moina macrocopa serves as a common live feed that is suitable for most freshwater fish species. Seven diets for the cladocera, viz. Chlorella sp., rice bran, soybean meal, chicken manure, swiftlet waste, canola oil, and artificial micro pellet were compared in this study. This study's objective was to analyse the effect of enriched M. macrocopa on the growth, survival, and dietary profiles of hybrid Nile tilapia fry. The feeding experiment lasted for over 60 days. The M. macrocopa enriched with rice bran has produced the highest weight gain (5.83 g), survival (86.67%), protein (24.88%), and lipid (6.85%) in Nile tilapia fry. While, fatty acid such as α-linolenic acid (ALA; 4.67%) was found to be the highest in fry fed with M. macrocopa enriched with soybean meal. Arachidonic acid (ARA; 3.69%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 0.47%) were the highest in tilapia fry fed with M. macrocopa enriched with rice bran, while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 6.33%) was the highest in tilapia fry fed with M. macrocopa enriched with Chlorella sp. In conclusion, the manipulation of nutrient such as protein, lipid and fatty acid Scompositions in M. macrocopa diet has successfully improved the nutrient compositions and production of Moina sp. culture that indirectly increased the growth and survival of hybrid tilapia fry.

In poultry diets, copper is an essential nutrient that is critical for various physiological functions. Although copper sulfate is commonly used due to its cost-effectiveness, organic copper sources are gaining popularity because of their superior production outcomes and environmental benefits. Nevertheless, understanding the distinct bioaccessibility of inorganic and organic copper in diverse dietary setting remains limited. This study investigated the bioaccessibility of copper sulfate, copper amino acid chelate, and copper proteinate in the intestine via in vitro digestion and in situ dialysis. The results showed significant differences in the molecular size distribution of compounds formed by different copper salts within the intestinal environment, thereby leading to varying bioaccessibility. Copper sulfate has a bioaccessibility of 47 % ± 4%, which is significantly lower than copper amino acid chelate and copper proteinate (63% ± 5%, and 60% ± 4%, respectively) in purified diet systems. Similarly, in whey protein systems, sulfate records 54% ± 10% bioaccessibility compared to 78% ± 9% and 76% ± 5% for copper amino acid chelate and copper proteinate. Coexisting feed ingredients have a significant impact on copper bioaccessibility. Copper sulfate forms precipitates, reducing its bioaccessibility to 34% ± 1% in sodium nitrate solution. The addition of digestive enzyme increases the bioaccessibility of copper sulfate to 81% ± 2% by providing organic ligands. Digestive enzyme also enhanced the bioaccessibility of copper proteinate from 36% ± 4% to 81% ± 4% by degrading its ligands. However, feed ingredients may decrease copper bioaccessibility by forming macromolecular complexes with copper, as all the organic ligands can competitively bind with copper in the intestine. These findings emphasize the importance of considering copper salt types and diet composition in animal nutrition practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the diet of threatened wildlife is vital for species-specific conservation and habitat management measures. The Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) is a vulnerable bird distributed in Northeast Asia. Previous dietary studies of this bird focused mainly on its plant food composition based on field observations and microhistological identification. Herein, a total of 45 fecal samples were collected in November, December and January (15 fecal samples each month) from wintering cranes, and then subjected to a high throughput sequencing meta-barcoding approach to determine the primary plant (rbcL) and animal (COI) food items in their diet. A total of 230 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of plant foods and 371 OTUs of animal foods were obtained. The main plant foods in the wintering period were Miscanthus, Zea, and Hordeum genera, which were similar to those in the breeding and the migration periods. Both agricultural and natural plants were detected, indicating a relatively broad dietary niche for this crane species. However, the main animal foods were representatives of Theridiidae, Megascolecidae, and Agelenidae, in sharp contrast to previous studies. The higher number of small terrestrial arthropods in animal foods might be due to the indirect intake of plants. The composition of both plant and animal foods in the diet showed the highest diversity in December, while it was homogeneous in January. The plant of Zea genus became the main source of nutrition in late winter, as supplementary feeding was performed in the reserve, which could help Red-crowned Cranes to get through the cold season. The results obtained in this work would contribute to the development of effective conservation strategies for the Red-crowned Crane.

Studies have suggested that dietary composition and meal timing of night workers differs from day workers, and it may be associated with sleep disturbances. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship of macronutrient intake and meal timing during work-days and days-off with objective and subjective parameters of sleep among overweight nurses working night shifts. This study drew on baseline data from a phase II, randomized, double-blind, crossover, controlled clinical trial. The sample comprised 39 female nursing professionals. Dietary composition was determined by food diaries for one work-day and one day-off. Sleep data was obtained by actigraphy and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Mean age was 38.2 years (SE 1 year) and mean time working the night shift was 5.8 years (SE 0.6 years). Around three-quarters of participants had sleep duration

The invasive red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, has become an abundant and important component in the food web of the coastal Barents Sea and can affect the structure and functioning of the local benthic communities through competition and predation. Although dietary composition and feeding behavior of the crab have been intensively studied, prey selectivity in this species under natural conditions remains poorly defined. For this reason, juvenile red king crabs and benthic samples were collected simultaneously at five coastal sites in Kola Bay to reveal the species composition and structure of feeding habits and the diet of red king crabs. The results of stomach and gut content analyses coupled with calculated Ivlev's indices indicated that 2–5-year-old crabs frequently consumed bivalve mollusks in relative proportions to prey field biomasses. At all sites, juveniles selectively rejected polychaetes. In soft-bottom communities, when the average density of Bivalvia decreased, the crabs showed increased preference for Gastropoda, Crustacea, and Echinodermata. As a result of selective feeding focused on infaunal suspension-feeding mollusks, juvenile red king crabs have altered the structure of benthic communities in the mouth of Kola Bay. Our results may have important implications for evaluating the consequences of the crab introduction and its population management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is an avian species native to Africa that has the ability to adapt to different habitats, environmental characteristics, and available food sources. We collected a total of 2,400 Cattle Egret excreta from four resting colonies during the months of January to March 2020, in the region of Tulancingo de Bravo, Hidalgo, Mexico; in order to identify the elements that make up the diet of the Cattle Egret. Samples were placed in 70% alcohol, and later analysed with a stereoscopic microscope. We identified a total of 1,677 items from 16 taxonomic entities that could be grouped in four categories. Arthropods were the main component in samples (51.8%), particularly insects of the order Orthoptera and Coleoptera. Other components in samples were plant material (26.6%), animal remains (13.9%), and plastic or other non-biological material (7.7%). We also report the first record of the Red-Spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) as a possible component in the diet of the Cattle Egret. The predominance of insects, particularly Orthoptera and Coleoptera, in the Cattle Egret diet in our study reflects the extent of agricultural activities in the region. Our study provides the first report on the diet of the Cattle Egret in an agricultural area or Hidalgo, Mexico, and corresponds with other studies, where variations in diet depend on the region, habitat, climate, and extent of environmental contamination.

Informed policy and decision-making for food systems, nutritional security, and global health would benefit from standardization and comparison of food composition data, spanning production to consumption. To address this challenge, we present a formal controlled vocabulary of terms, definitions, and relationships within the Compositional Dietary Nutrition Ontology (CDNO, www.cdno.info) that enables description of nutritional attributes for material entities contributing to the human diet. We demonstrate how ongoing community development of CDNO classes can harmonize trans-disciplinary approaches for describing nutritional components from food production to diet.

The cladocera Moina macrocopa serves as a common live feed that is suitable for most freshwater fish species. Seven diets for the cladocera, viz. Chlorella sp., rice bran, soybean meal, chicken manure, swiftlet waste, canola oil, and artificial micro pellet were compared in this study. This study's objective was to analyse the effect of enriched M. macrocopa on the growth, survival, and dietary profiles of hybrid Nile tilapia fry. The feeding experiment lasted for over 60 days. The M. macrocopa enriched with rice bran has produced the highest weight gain (5.83 g), survival (86.67%), protein (24.88%), and lipid (6.85%) in Nile tilapia fry. While, fatty acid such as α-linolenic acid (ALA; 4.67%) was found to be the highest in fry fed with M. macrocopa enriched with soybean meal. Arachidonic acid (ARA; 3.69%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 0.47%) were the highest in tilapia fry fed with M. macrocopa enriched with rice bran, while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 6.33%) was the highest in tilapia fry fed with M. macrocopa enriched with Chlorella sp. In conclusion, the manipulation of nutrient such as protein, lipid and fatty acid Scompositions in M. macrocopa diet has successfully improved the nutrient compositions and production of Moina sp. culture that indirectly increased the growth and survival of hybrid tilapia fry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inactivation of ancestral protein‐coding genes (gene loss) can be associated with phenotypic modifications. Within placental mammals, repeated losses of PNLIPRP1 (gene inhibiting fat digestion) occurred preferentially in strictly herbivorous species, whereas repeated NR1I3 losses (gene involved in detoxification) occurred preferentially in strictly carnivorous species. It was hypothesized that lower fat contents of herbivorous diets and lower toxin contents of carnivorous diets cause relaxed selection pressure on these genes, resulting in the accumulation of mutations and ultimately to convergent gene losses. However, because herbivorous and carnivorous diets differ vastly in their composition, a fine‐grained analysis is required for hypothesis testing. We generated a trait matrix recording diet and semi‐quantitative estimates of fat and toxin consumption for 52 placental species. By including data from 31 fossil taxa, we reconstructed the ancestral diets in major lineages (grundplan reconstruction). We found support that PNLIPRP1 loss is primarily associated with low levels of fat intake and not simply with herbivory/carnivory. In particular, PNLIPRP1 loss also occurred in carnivorous lineages feeding on a fat‐poor diet, suggesting that the loss of this gene may be beneficial for occupying ecological niches characterized by fat‐poor food resources. Similarly, we demonstrated that carnivorous species are indeed less exposed to diet‐related toxins, suggesting that the loss of NR1I3 and related genes (NR1I2 and UGT1A6) resulted from relaxed selection pressure. This study illustrates the need of detailed phenotype studies to obtain a deeper understanding of factors underlying gene losses and to progress in understanding genomic causes of phenotypic variation in mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is an avian species native to Africa that has the ability to adapt to different habitats, environmental characteristics, and available food sources. We collected a total of 2,400 Cattle Egret excreta from four resting colonies during the months of January to March 2020, in the region of Tulancingo de Bravo, Hidalgo, Mexico; in order to identify the elements that make up the diet of the Cattle Egret. Samples were placed in 70% alcohol, and later analysed with a stereoscopic microscope. We identified a total of 1,677 items from 16 taxonomic entities that could be grouped in four categories. Arthropods were the main component in samples (51.8%), particularly insects of the order Orthoptera and Coleoptera. Other components in samples were plant material (26.6%), animal remains (13.9%), and plastic or other non-biological material (7.7%). We also report the first record of the Red-Spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) as a possible component in the diet of the Cattle Egret. The predominance of insects, particularly Orthoptera and Coleoptera, in the Cattle Egret diet in our study reflects the extent of agricultural activities in the region. Our study provides the first report on the diet of the Cattle Egret in an agricultural area or Hidalgo, Mexico, and corresponds with other studies, where variations in diet depend on the region, habitat, climate, and extent of environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal microbial population is recognized for its impact on cancer treatment outcomes. Little research has reported microbiome changes during cancer progression or the interplay of disease progression, dietary sugar/fat intake, and the microbiome through surgery and chemotherapy. In this study, the murine gut microbiome was used as a model system, and changes in microbiome diversity, richness, and evenness over the progression of the cancer and treatment were analyzed. Mice were categorized into four diet cohorts, combinations of either high or low sucrose and high or low omega-3 fatty acids, and two treatment cohorts, saline vehicle or chemotherapy, for a total of eight groups. Fecal samples were collected at specific timepoints to assess changes due to diet implementation, onset of cancer, lumpectomy, and chemotherapy. Akkermansia muciniphila abundance was very high in some samples and negatively correlated with overall Amplicon Sequence Variant (ASV) richness (r(64) = −0.55, p = 3 × 10−8). Throughout the disease progression, ASV richness significantly decreased and was impacted by diet and treatment. Alpha-diversity and differential microbial abundance were significantly affected by disease progression, diet, treatment, and their interactions. These findings help establish a baseline for understanding how cancer progression, dietary macronutrients, and specific treatments impact the murine microbiome, which may influence outcomes.

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The key factor in preventing and treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a holistic lifestyle modification approach, encompassing diet based on healthy eating patterns of unprocessed foods, exercise, balanced drinking, and smoking habits. The Mediterranean diet and other healthy dietary patterns can reduce liver fat and may be related with lower disease progression. The type of diet should be tailored to the patient's cultural and personal preferences. Changing dietary composition without reducing caloric intake may offer an additional and sometimes more feasible alternative, so that the nutritional treatment incorporates, but is not focused on, weight reduction goals. The growing global consumption of ultra-processed foods, which is the polar opposite of the Mediterranean diet and its concept of home-based cooking, poses a great challenge in the prevention of NAFLD and probably hepatocellular carcinoma. This review will cover the most updated clinical and epidemiological evidence for lifestyle treatment in NAFLD and provide practical treatment tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional composition and functional properties of two varieties of watermelon seeds and compare these properties between these seeds for harnessing them for consumption as food. The dried seeds of the two types of watermelon were evaluated by using a standard method for different characteristics such as nutritional, phytochemical and functional properties to perceive the potential benefits of that seed. The result of nutritional composition and phytochemical compound analysis obtained for the two varieties (Crimson red and Charleston gray) of watermelon seed indicated that both varieties of watermelon seed were rich in energy (469.60±0.01Kcal/100g, 408.85±0.01Kcal/100g), crude fat (36.61±0.01%, 30.65±0.01%), crude protein (27.21±0.01%, 22.51±0.01%), fiber (21.55±0.01, 29.85±0.01%) and phytochemical compound such as crude alkaloid (14.05±0.006%, 10.56±0.006%) respectively. The study result showed that, the crude fat, crude protein, energy and crude alkaloid were found to be high in the amount in the Crimson red seed than Charleston gray seed. Whereas the crude fiber was the high amount in the Charleston gray seed compared to the Crimson red seed. Functional properties may impact the behavior of food protein during processing, formulation and storage. The functional properties such as water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, emulsion activity, emulsion stability, foam activity, and foam stability were analysed of two varieties of watermelon seeds. The present research study revealed that both the two varieties of watermelon seed are characterized with good functional properties which indicate that the watermelon seeds can be incorporated in the formulation of food for consumption and use for industrial purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus) is very common across a variety of West African habitats, but very little information is available on its feeding ecology or its contribution to ecosystem function. We investigated seasonal variation in food availability and the relative importance of dietary items used by this species in a forest‐savannah transitional ecosystem. Dietary items were identified from 1,470 samples of fecal and ejecta pellets which had been collected under day roosts or from captured bats over a 2‐year period (2014–2015). Plant phenology studies illustrated strong seasonal correlations between fruiting and flowering and rainfall patterns: Fruits were available throughout the year but with peaks of abundance during the rainy season, while flowers were mostly abundant during the dry season. Epomophorus gambianus bats utilized fruit and flower resources from 30 plant species. Although the plant species used depended on seasonal availability, there were clear preferences for certain species. Flowers were an important food source for this fruit bat species especially during the dry season, contributing up to 79% of dietary items when fruit abundance was low. Ficus fruits were also important food item for E. gambianus, constituting over 40% of all dietary samples identified. Policy implications. Our results show the importance of flowers in the diet of E. gambianus and highlight this species as an important pollinator and seed disperser, including for economically and ecologically important plant species. These findings contribute to an improved understanding of the ecological importance and potential role of this species in the forest‐savannah transition ecosystem for the development of fruit bat conservation management strategies.

The invasive red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, has become an abundant and important component in the food web of the coastal Barents Sea and can affect the structure and functioning of the local benthic communities through competition and predation. Although dietary composition and feeding behavior of the crab have been intensively studied, prey selectivity in this species under natural conditions remains poorly defined. For this reason, juvenile red king crabs and benthic samples were collected simultaneously at five coastal sites in Kola Bay to reveal the species composition and structure of feeding habits and the diet of red king crabs. The results of stomach and gut content analyses coupled with calculated Ivlev’s indices indicated that 2–5-year-old crabs frequently consumed bivalve mollusks in relative proportions to prey field biomasses. At all sites, juveniles selectively rejected polychaetes. In soft-bottom communities, when the average density of Bivalvia decreased, the crabs showed increased preference for Gastropoda, Crustacea, and Echinodermata. As a result of selective feeding focused on infaunal suspension-feeding mollusks, juvenile red king crabs have altered the structure of benthic communities in the mouth of Kola Bay. Our results may have important implications for evaluating the consequences of the crab introduction and its population management.

Anthropogenic disturbances often alter patterns of community functioning. Along that, how interacting species respond to these changes remains poorly understood. In 1972-2019, we studied the trophic structure of the vertebrate predator community in coniferous-small-leaved forests of Belarussian Paazerje (Northern Belarus). Since 2013, large scale depopulation of wild boars Sus scrofa has been started in Belarus as a measure to reduce a circulation of the African swine fever (ASF). It was found that the community consisted of four trophic guilds including small rodent consumers, bird consumers, scavengers, and ungulate consumers. The pronounced shifts in dietary compositions of three scavengers (the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides, golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos and white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla) after a decrease in an abundance of wild boar carrion has been revealed. Along that, the average value of the dietary similarity between investigated species stayed the same

Anthropogenic disturbances often alter patterns of community functioning. Along that, how interacting species respond to these changes remains poorly understood. In 1972-2019, we studied the trophic structure of the vertebrate predator community in coniferous-small-leaved forests of Belarussian Paazerje (Northern Belarus). Since 2013, large scale depopulation of Wild Boars, Sus scrofa, has been started in Belarus as a measure to reduce a circulation of the African swine fever (ASF). It was found that the community consisted of four trophic guilds including small rodent consumers, bird consumers, scavengers, and ungulate consumers. The pronounced shifts in dietary compositions of three scavengers (the Raccoon Dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos and White-tailed Eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla) after a decrease in an abundance of Wild Boar carrion was revealed. Along that, the average value of the dietary similarity between investigated species stayed the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portunid crabs contribute to significant commercial and recreational fisheries globally and are commonly fished in estuaries and/or marine embayments, which are amongst the most degraded of all aquatic ecosystems. Portunus armatus were collected seasonally between April and February from five locations across three systems in temperate south-western Australia. The dietary composition of crabs was quantified and compared between two estuaries (Peel-Harvey and Swan-Canning) and a sheltered marine embayment (Cockburn Sound) containing three distinct habitats: shallow seagrass, shallow sand and deep sand. Overall, crabs ingested large volumes of bivalves (both live organisms and dead shell), polychaetes, crustaceans (e.g., amphipods, small decapods), and smaller volumes of teleosts, echinoderms and plant material (seagrass, algae). Analysis of Similarities showed that dietary composition varied significantly among the five locations (two estuaries and three habitats within Cockburn Sound) and seasons, with greater location than seasonal differences in the two estuaries. Diets were most distinct in the Cockburn Sound seagrass due to greater volumes of decapods and teleosts and smaller volumes of bivalve shell consumed in this habitat. Crabs from both estuaries consumed greater quantities of bivalves than those from Cockburn Sound. Seasonal differences in both estuaries were greatest between summer and winter, with a more diverse range of prey and large quantities of bivalves ingested in summer, whereas small bivalves and bivalve shell in the Peel-Harvey and polychaetes and other crustaceans in the Swan-Canning, were consumed in greater quantities in winter. The summer diet in the Peel-Harvey Estuary in the current study was compared to that 20 years previous and with documented change in the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna. Currently, crabs consume smaller volumes of high-calorie prey, i.e., polychaetes, small bivalves and teleosts, and instead ingest greater proportions of calcareous material than previously. This marked shift in dietary composition parallels changes in benthic macroinvertebrates in the Peel-Harvey Estuary. Overall, prey availability appears to be the major factor influencing the spatial and temporal differences in P. armatus diets in these three coastal systems.

We studied the feeding ecology of the Black Wood Pigeon (Columba janthina), a species endemic to the East Asian Pacific Islands, and determined the species’ dietary composition and food preferences on Ulleung Island, South Korea, through field observations. From March 2016 to February 2018, the diversity of food items consumed was low, with the 10 most common plant species (from a total of 33) accounting for over 80%. Food availability varied depending on plant abundance, but this influence was minimized because of factors such as delayed fruit ripening. Drupes were the most favored food items (60–68%) but were replaced by nuts and weed seeds during the spring and winter months. Dietary composition and food preferences were related to the abundance of food items based on their phenology, but a steady, high preference for Aphananthe aspera was observed throughout the study period. The abundance of Prunus takesimensis in June was correlated with changes in the Black Wood Pigeon population. This study is the first to assess the feeding ecology of Black Wood Pigeons using field observations and suggests that the availability of different food items affects population changes on the East Asian Pacific islands.

We studied the feeding ecology of the Black Wood Pigeon (Columba janthina), a species endemic to the East Asian Pacific Islands, and determined the species' dietary composition and food preferences on Ulleung Island, South Korea, through field observations. From March 2016 to February 2018, the diversity of food items consumed was low, with the 10 most common plant species (from a total of 33) accounting for over 80%. Food availability varied depending on plant abundance, but this influence was minimized because of factors such as delayed fruit ripening. Drupes were the most favored food items (60–68%) but were replaced by nuts and weed seeds during the spring and winter months. Dietary composition and food preferences were related to the abundance of food items based on their phenology, but a steady, high preference for Aphananthe aspera was observed throughout the study period. The abundance of Prunus takesimensis in June was correlated with changes in the Black Wood Pigeon population. This study is the first to assess the feeding ecology of Black Wood Pigeons using field observations and suggests that the availability of different food items affects population changes on the East Asian Pacific islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines some features of brown bears’ feeding on dwarf shrub berries (bilberry, cranberry, cowberry and black crowberry) in the southern taiga subzone, in spruce forests and on raised bogs of the Central Forest Nature Reserve and its protection zone. The most significant berries in the animals’ diet are bilberries and cranberries. According to the results from 279 sample plots, average consumption by bears per 1 m2 was74.2 g of bilberries out of 114.5 g abundance (64.8 %) and 109.5 g of cranberries out of 183.3 g abundance (59.8 %). In the most productive years, the removal of bilberry canreach 76 %. We analyzed the rate of bilberry removal from three main types of spruce forests: bilberry-Sphagnum, Sphagnum and bilberry-horsetail-Sphagnum. The removalrate was the highest in the bilberry-horsetail-Sphagnum spruce forest, and amountedto 135.7 g/m². The analysis of 474 scats revealed a high significance of bilberry in the secondhalf of the summer (EDEC = 58 %). The significance of cranberry was the highest in autumn (EDEC = 8.9 %) and early spring (EDEC = 4.0 %), while cowberry contributedto the diet significantly only in autumn (EDEC = 1.6 %). Black crowberries are very rare in the animals’ diet (EDEC = 0.5 %). Energy gains from feeding on bilberries are 42.3 (up to 72.7) kcal/m², while cranberries provide 50.4 kcal/m². The greatest factors for the rate of consumption of berries by bears are the dwarf shrubs’ general yield and nuisancefrom humans.

• Hydrogenated vegetable fat and lard reduce serotonin and octopamine levels in head of flies. • Hydrogenated vegetable fat and lard induce depressive-like and aggressive behavior in flies. • Hydrogenated vegetable fat induces anxiety-like behavior in flies. • Composition of the fatty acids in diet can influence the signaling of neurotransmitters. • Behavioral changes correlate with reduction in serotonin and octopamine levels. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the addition of saturated fat and hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) to the diet on depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were exposed to experimental diets: regular diet (RD), or HVF in the concentrations of the substitute (SHVF), HVF 10% and HVF 20%, or Lard (L) in the concentrations of the substitute (SL), L 10% and L 20%, during seven days. Our results showed that flies fed with the HVF diet presented similar behaviors to depression, anxiety, and a higher number of aggressive events. Flies exposed to L showed only depressive-like behavior. Regarding serotonin levels (5HT), there was a significant reduction in the flies exposed to SHVF, HVF 10%, HVF 20%, and L 20%. Regarding the levels of octopamine (OA), there was a significant reduction in the flies exposed to both HVF and L rich diets when compared with the RD group. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between 5HT or OA levels and behaviors of aggressiveness, negative geotaxis, immobility time, light/dark, and grooming in the flies. This study shows that D. melanogaster can serve as a valuable model for understanding psychiatric disorders and that the type of fatty acid (FA) offered in the diet can influence these disorders. This demonstrates the importance of the composition of the FAs in the neural pathways, being able to influence the signaling of neurotransmitters, such as 5HT and OA, and thus, cause behavioral changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human gut microbiome is recognized as an important determinant of human health, yet little is known about how dietary habits are related to the microbiome in post-weaned, pre-pubescent children. The goal of this work was to link quantitative dietary intake with microbiome features in a diverse population of children consuming a predominantly Western diet. This was a cross-sectional study. English- or Spanish-speaking families with healthy children between the ages of 2 and 9 years were recruited from a community-based, early childhood learning center in suburban Los Angeles, California between June and September 2014. Children included in the analyses (n=75) contributed three fecal samples and three quantitative 24-hour dietary recalls using the multiple-pass method with an average of 5.7 days between samples. Microbial communities of each fecal sample were characterized using Illumina sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Dietary recalls were analyzed using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Recall Dietary Assessment Tool. Associations between dietary factors and microbiome features were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman rank correlations, or permutational multivariate analysis of variance. For demographic and health-related variables, χ2 analyses were used to test for differences between age groups for categorical variables. Our results show that age is correlated with three metrics of microbiome diversity (P <0.05) and is associated with both community structure (P =0.0488) and membership (P =0.0002). Several dietary food groups and nutrients were likewise associated with microbiome features. For example, consumption of non–whole-grain foods was associated with community structure (P =0.0089) and membership (P =0.0057), but not diversity (P >0.05). Likewise, the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa were linked to consumption of particular food groups and/or nutrients, as illustrated by the positive associations between total fruit (P false discovery rate <0.05) and fiber (P false discovery rate <0.05) consumption with the relative abundance of the Lachnospira genera. This hypothesis-generating study demonstrates that the composition of the child gut microbiome remains dynamic beyond the age of 3 years and responds to dietary differences across individuals. In particular, non–whole-grain foods fortified with vitamins and minerals appear to be associated with the composition of the microbiome. Future interventional or model organism-based studies will be needed to test these associations between diet and microbiome composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Chinese Society of Animal Science is the property of Chinese Society of Animal Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)