Edible insects have recently gained attention as a sustainable protein source. In a dietary intervention clinical trial, participants consumed one of the following for 28 d: wheat bread, soy protein bread, cricket protein bread, or a mixed bread containing both cricket and soy proteins. Although individuals with known allergies to soy, crustaceans, or wheat were excluded, several participants developed allergic dermatitis (erythema with itching) after consuming cricket protein bread. This study, therefore, aims to identify potential allergens in cricket protein that may have triggered these reactions. To do so, we analyzed serum samples from an individual who developed allergic dermatitis after consuming the cricket protein or cricket-soy protein mixed bread. Our results revealed a novel allergen candidate. In contrast, this allergen was not detected in serum from an individual who consumed the same bread but did not experience an allergic reaction. The newly identified allergen was solubilized by heating at 95ºC for 5 min in 10% SDS. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and database searches in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gryllus protein database, paramyosin was identified as a candidate protein. Our findings suggest a new allergen candidate in cricket protein, which is regarded as a promising alternative protein source and edible insect. Furthermore, these results support the safety assessment of cricket consumption and underscore the importance of allergen screening in edible crickets.

There is a growing amount of research on the association of physical activity level (PAL) and physical activity-related energy expenditure (PAEE) with physical activity (PA) intensity or body composition variables; however, the age of the target population, especially young adults, is limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between PA indices such as each PA intensity, including sedentary behaviour (SB), and free-living energy expenditure using the doubly labelled water (DLW) method. Using the DLW method under free-living conditions, total energy expenditure was evaluated in 32 healthy women without regular exercise habits in their 20 s. PA, including the percentage of time spent engaging in light, moderate, and vigorous physical intensities, was measured using a validated accelerometer. The %SB was also calculated. Partial correlation coefficients of the relationship between the PAL and PA variables, including sleeping time, age, and body composition indices, were calculated while controlling for the effect of multiple variables. PAEE normalised for body weight (PAEE/kg) and average PAL were 10.2±3.0 kcal/kg/d (42.7±12.7 kJ/kg/d) and 1.60±0.17, respectively. PAL and PAEE/kg had significant negative partial correlations with %SB (r=-0.428, p=0.033 and r=-0.484, p=0.014, respectively). The results indicate that reducing SB attributes to higher values of PAL and PAEE/kg. This is the first study to clarify the contribution of SB and other PA indices to the intensity of PAL and free-living energy expenditure using DLW in young adult women without regular exercise habits.

Data regarding to how serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels affect muscle mass and function in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have led to inconclusive results. The main goal of this research was to examine the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of deterioration in muscle mass and function among ESRD patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Eligible ESRD patients on CAPD were prospectively included, and followed up at 3-mo intervals in Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, the tertiary care center in the Ningbo region, Zhejiang Province, China for 12 mo. The mean 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL of all visits during the 12-mo follow-up period was the exposure of interest. Primary outcome was defined as the deterioration of muscle mass and function at the end of the 12-mo follow-up. The absolute difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the incidence of deterioration of muscle mass and function between the groups with mean 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL and ≥20 ng/mL were estimated. The relationship between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of deterioration in muscle mass and function was examined by employing multivariate logistic regression models. Participants with 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL or 25(OH)D≥20 ng/mL in each visit were included as a sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the age (<60 y and ≥60 y). Two hundred twenty-one eligible participants were included for the final statistical analysis. Among these 221 participants, patients with the mean 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL was 64.7% (143/221). During the 12-mo follow-up period, the incidence of deterioration in muscle mass and function was 37.6% (83/221). Compared to paticipants with mean 25(OH)D≥20 ng/mL, the incidence in paticipants with mean 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL was significantly higher (46.2% vs 21.8%, p<0.001), with an absolute difference of 24% (95%CI 12-37%). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, mean 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL was still associated with increased risk of the deterioration in muscle mass and function (OR=3.18, 95%CI 1.51-6.70, p=0.002). The association was consistent in the sensitivity analysis (OR=3.22, 95%CI 1.49-6.97, p=0.003). In subgroup analysis, the relationship between mean 25(OH)D<20 ng/mL and the deterioration in muscle mass and function remained consistent (OR=5.59, 95%CI 1.82-17.15, p=0.003) in paticipants with age ≥60 y; however, no significant relationship was identified in patients with age <60 y (OR=2.05, 95%CI 0.72-5.84, p=0.18). Our study demonstrated that lower serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of the deterioration in muscle mass and function in ESRD patients on CAPD, especially in elderly individuals, implicating that vitamin D supplementation might represent an effective way to prevent and treat sarcopenia, frailty and their clinical complications. However, due to inherent limitations in the study, further research is necessary to establish a definitive causal relationship.

Rice endosperm protein hydrolysate B (REPH-B) is produced by enzymatic degradation of rice endosperm protein. REPH-B contains the following peptides: QAFEPIRSV, pEAFEPIRSV, and TNPWHSPRQGSF. A previous study reported that REPH-B has the ability to induce plasma acylated ghrelin secretion and increase food intake in animal models. In this study, we investigated the effect of REPH-B on appetite in healthy adults aged over 40 y who had a relatively low visual analogue scale (VAS) score for hunger. Forty-six healthy subjects who were aware that their appetite had decreased were enrolled. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of two groups. The influence of REPH-B on appetite was evaluated by VAS under two conditions: repeated intake over 2 wk (Study 1) and single intake (Study 2). Though a single intake of REPH-B had no influence on any of the parameters evaluated, repeated intake of REPH-B significantly improved the VAS score for hunger. In conclusion, repeated intake of REPH-B might increase hunger in healthy adults who suffer from a lack of appetite. This study was registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000049108.

Deficiencies of essential fat-soluble vitamins have been identified in several conditions. Previously we reported the co-ingestion of non-fat fermented milk and vegetables enhanced absorption of carotenoids. Both carotenoids and fat-soluble vitamins have similar absorption mechanisms. Therefore, we hypothesized that the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins may be enhanced when co-ingested with non-fat fermented milk. Twenty healthy male participants were included in this two-group, two-phase crossover study. Participants co-ingested 50 g of a fat-soluble vitamin solution with either 75 g of water or 75 g of non-fat fermented milk before switching after a 2-wk washout. The fat-soluble vitamins were mixed in 50 g of water with 830 μg vitamin A (as retinol), 230 μg of vitamin D (as cholecalciferol), 100.8 mg of vitamin E, and 16.8 mg of vitamin K (as menaquinone-7). Blood samples were collected before and 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after test food consumption and the concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins in the triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) and total plasma fractions were determined. The incremental area under the curve for retinyl palmitate, cholecalciferol, and menaquinone-7 concentrations in the total plasma fraction, and α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol concentrations in the TRL fraction of plasma were significantly higher for the group of the co-ingestion of fat-soluble vitamins and non-fat fermented milk, compared with the co-ingestion of fat-soluble vitamins and water. Our findings suggest a new nutritional means by which fat-soluble vitamin bioavailability can be enhanced via co-ingestion with non-fat fermented milk. This approach could improve nutritional deficiencies of global health concern.

Obesity represents a major public health challenge with extensive physical and psychological implications. Food addiction (FA), a rising concern linked to obesity, remains insufficiently studied in China. This study investigates the prevalence of FA and identifies factors associated with FA among overweight/obesity. Data were collected between August 2021 and January 2022 from 126 overweight/obesity through structured surveys and questionnaires. Comparative analyses of demographic characteristics, anthropometric indicators, and dietary patterns were performed between participants exhibiting FA symptoms and those without FA. FA symptoms were identified in 43.65% of the participants, with higher prevalence among individuals from the Tibetan population. Subgroup analysis of Tibetan participants revealed that a higher intake of tubers, fats, and sodium was associated with an increased risk of FA, whereas manganese intake may exert a protective effect against FA. Participants with FA showed significantly higher anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body fat percentage, compared to non-FA (NFA) counterparts. Furthermore, a dietary pattern characterized by elevated intake of tubers, fats, energy-dense foods and certain trace elements such as sodium was significantly associated with an increased risk of FA. Overweight/obesity with FA display distinct dietary imbalances, marked by higher BMI and increased consumption of tubers and fats, accompanied by increased intake of specific trace elements. This study is crucial for identifying and evaluating the effectiveness of FA in order to develop targeted interventions and optimise obesity treatment strategies.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder influenced by multiple factors including genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, environmental triggers, and nutritional status. Nutritional deficiencies are common in IBD patients and may contribute to disease progression and poor clinical outcomes. In this study, we examined how early nutritional intervention affected clinical remission rates, disease activity, and quality of life in newly diagnosed IBD patients. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 153 newly diagnosed IBD patients, dividing them into two groups: 78 patients who received early nutritional intervention combined with conventional treatment (intervention group) and 75 patients who received conventional treatment alone (control group). Following treatment periods of 4, 8, 12, and 24 wk, we assessed clinical remission rates, disease activity indices (CDAI for Crohn's disease and Mayo scores for ulcerative colitis), quality of life scores (IBDQ), inflammatory markers, nutritional status, and disease-related complications. Early nutritional intervention led to enhanced clinical remission rates beginning at 8 wk and continuing through 24 wk. Disease activity indices showed progressive improvement in the intervention group, with both CDAI scores in Crohn's disease patients and Mayo scores in ulcerative colitis patients demonstrating notable reductions by the 24-wk assessment. Quality of life scores improved substantially in the intervention group, particularly evident at the 12 and 24-wk time points. Inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and fecal calprotectin, exhibited marked decreases in patients receiving nutritional intervention. Nutritional parameters demonstrated improvement in the intervention group, with both serum albumin and prealbumin levels showing restoration toward normal ranges. Additionally, patients in the intervention group experienced lower rates of rehospitalization, extraintestinal complications, and disease relapse during the 24-wk follow-up period. These findings indicate that early nutritional intervention significantly improves clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed IBD patients by enhancing remission rates, reducing disease activity and inflammatory burden, optimizing nutritional status, and decreasing complications. This intervention strategy may represent a valuable therapeutic approach for improving both short-term and long-term prognosis in IBD management.

Some heavyweight athletes like track and field throwing and heavyweight judo, have high levels of visceral fat, which raises concerns about develop reduced liver function. This study presents a detailed analysis of the relationships among dietary intake, physical activity, and factors that exacerbate blood test results in these athletes. The study involved 20 track and field throwers (TF) and 9 judo heavyweight athletes (JH). We conducted body composition measurements using the impedance method, a training survey, and a semi-quantitative diet survey over 3 d. We performed blood tests to determine the effects of dietary intake and training on liver function. Blood tests revealed alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) levels of 33±3 and 22±2 U/L in the TF, and 28±5 and 25±2 U/L in the JH. Daily energy intake and exercise energy expenditure were 3,018±149 and 884±71 kcal/d in the TF, and 3,160±146 and 1,593±153 kcal/d in the JH, respectively. We found positive correlations among weight, carbohydrate intake and energy ratio, ALT levels, and γ-GTP levels in both groups. While decreased liver function is traditionally addressed by discontinuing training, this study suggests that dietary adjustments may also be necessary.

Mealtime behaviors may influence sleep patterns in preschool children; however, this relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify which mealtime behaviors affect sleep among preschool children. A total of 283 children aged 3-6 y were included in this study. Problematic mealtime behaviors-such as selective eating, clumsiness/manners, interest and concentration in eating, oral motor function, and overeating-were assessed. Data on wake-up time, bedtime, total sleep duration, and sleep midpoint were collected. The tryptophan index (Trp index) was calculated at breakfast. A mediation analysis, controlling for age in month and sex, was conducted under the assumption of a causal pathway from selective eating behavior to bedtime via the Trp index. The analysis estimated both direct and indirect effects. Compared to the non-selective eating behavior group (n=121), the selective eating behavior group (n=162) exhibited later wake-up times (6:44±0:28 vs. 6:52±0:32; p=0.043), later bedtimes (21:15±0:37 vs. 21:33±0:33; p<0.001), later midpoints of sleep (2:00±0:27 vs. 2:13±0:31; p<0.001), shorter total sleep (9.5±0.6 vs. 9.3±0.7 h; p=0.018), and a lower Trp-index (285±167 vs. 234±149; p=0.007). Selective eating behavior was associated with lower tryptophan intake at breakfast, which in turn was linked to later bedtimes. The mediation analysis showed that tryptophan intake partially mediated the relationship between selective eating behavior and sleep timing (proportion mediated=13.6%). These findings suggests that a significant association was observed between selective eating behavior and poor sleep habits, and tryptophan intake at breakfast partially mediated this association.