Behavioral Profile Research Articles

APLICATIVO UNIVERSITÁRIO DO BEM: DESENVOLVIMENTO DE TECNOLOGIA PARA GESTÃO DE ATIVIDADES COMPLEMENTARES EM INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR

This article aims to investigate and analyze the behavior profiles and preferences of undergraduate students in relation to complementary activities in order to propose technological alternatives to optimize this process. The research, of exploratory and descriptive character, adopted as a technical procedure the case study at Fumec University, a higher education institution located in the city of Belo Horizonte. Data collection took place through structured interviews, carried out with undergraduate students at Fumec University, from September 1 to 30, 2023. The results indicated the interest of students in using a mobile application as an alternative to the analog methods currently used by HEIs. In this way, the app called Universitário do Bem was developed, which aims to manage the complementary activities carried out in the HEIs. The implementation of the app can save time and resources, in addition to promoting the university extension activity, which is still undervalued in Brazil. With the increasing integration of mobile applications into daily life, the proposed solution has the potential to significantly facilitate the process of carrying out complementary activities for students. The project faced challenges such as slow application and delays in conducting tests due to the high turnover of responsible students. Proposed improvements include the use of a more robust server and code overhaul to optimize performance.

Terminalia catappa Kernel Flour Characterization as a Functional and Bioactive Ingredient for Cookies Formulation

Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) represents an underutilized resource with potential applications in functional food development. This study investigated the technological properties and bioactive characteristics of T. catappa kernel flour and its application in cookie formulation. The research examined the techno-functional properties, pasting behavior, and bioactive profile of T. catappa flour and its blends with different sweeteners (erythritol and cane sugar at 5% and 15% concentrations). Cookies were formulated using optimized ingredients, and their quality parameters were evaluated through physical, chemical, and sensory analyses. T. catappa flour demonstrated significant water holding capacity (4.48 g H2O/g DM) and notable antioxidant activity in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts (DPPH: 1.95–3.35 mg TE/g DM). The addition of sweeteners influenced pasting properties, with higher concentrations generally reducing peak viscosity and pasting temperature. Developed cookies exhibited stable water activity (0.294–0.320) over one month of storage and contained substantial dietary fiber (5.018 g/100 g). Sensory evaluation revealed superior acceptability for thicker (10 mm) cookies, particularly in texture and appearance attributes. This study establishes T. catappa kernel flour as a promising functional ingredient for gluten-free bakery applications, offering both technological functionality and bioactive properties suitable for health-conscious product development.

Behavioural underpinning of mito-nuclear discordances: insights from fire salamanders.

Mito-nuclear discordances across secondary contact zones have been described in a wide range of organisms. They consist of a spatial mismatch between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in terms of location and extension of the contact zone between distinct evolutionary lineages. Despite the evolutionary and biogeographic causes of mito-nuclear discordances having been extensively investigated, we still lack a clear understanding of their phenotypic underpinnings. Here, we test the hypothesis that mtDNA variation could be associated with behavioural variation and that such association could contribute to asymmetric mitochondrial introgression across a secondary contact zone. We analysed behavioural variation across the mtDNA secondary contact zone of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra in central Italy, which is displaced 600 km from the nuclear contact zone. We found distinct behavioural profiles in the two mitotypes co-occurring in the contact zone. The introgressed mitotype was associated with a 'slow-thorough' dispersal profile, characterized by a less active but more cautious and accurate exploration strategy. This pattern was consistent across life stages and contexts: aquatic larvae and terrestrial juveniles, spontaneous activity and response to novelty. These results support the intriguing hypothesis that personality traits associated with distinct mitotypes could contribute to differential mitochondrial introgression and the formation of biogeographic patterns of mito-nuclear discordance.

Social organization of necrophoresis: insights into disease risk management in ant societies.

Insect societies, which are at a high risk of disease outbreaks, have evolved sanitary strategies that contribute to their social immunity. Here, we investigated in the red ant Myrmica rubra, how the discarding of nestmate cadavers is socially organized depending on the associated pathogenicity. We examined whether necrophoresis is carried out by a specific functional group of workers or by any nestmates that may become short-term specialists. By observing the behavioural profiles of tagged individuals, we assigned half of the colony members to functional groups (foragers, intermittent-foragers, domestics, nurses and inactives). Following the introduction of uninfected or sporulating corpses into the nest, intermittent-foragers were the functional group most involved in necrophoresis, as they touched, moved and discarded more cadavers. Interestingly, sporulating corpses induced a more generalized response in workers from all functional groups, thereby accelerating their rejection from the nest. The individuals contacting corpses were also prophylactically engaged in more grooming behaviour, suggesting the existence of hygienist workers within ant colonies. These findings raise questions about a trade-off existing between concentrating health risks on a few workers who are highly specialized in necrophoresis and exposing a larger population of nestmates who cooperate to speed up nest sanitization.

Background and design of the Physical Frailty and Symptom Monitoring and Management Behaviors in Heart Failure (PRISM-HF) study: A mixed methods study.

Many adults with heart failure (HF) are physically frail and have worse outcomes. While the biological profile of physical frailty in HF has been examined, the behavioral profile remains unstudied. Physical frailty may impact self-care behaviors, particularly symptom monitoring and management (SMM), which in turn results in adverse outcomes. This paper describes the background and design of a study that addresses this knowledge gap, entitled "Physical Frailty and Symptom Monitoring and Management Behaviors in Heart Failure" (PRISM-HF). PRISM-HF is a sequential mixed methods study where in Phase 1, we collect quantitative data from a sex-balanced sample of 120 adults with HF, and in Phase 2, we collect qualitative data from ∼32-40 adults from this sample, aiming to: (1) quantify associations among physical frailty, SMM behaviors, and outcomes; (2) describe the experience of SMM behaviors for physically frail and non-physically frail adults with HF; and (3) identify the SMM behavioral needs of physically frail and non-physically frail adults with HF. At baseline, we measure symptoms, SMM behaviors, and physical frailty and collect clinical events at 6-months. We will use generalized linear modeling and survival analysis in Aim 1, directed content analysis in Aim 2, and triangulation analyses using an informational matrix in Aim 3. This innovative study will investigate the behavioral underpinnings of physical frailty in HF, incorporate the patient's perspective of SMM behaviors in the context of physical frailty, and identify possible explanations for the effect of physical frailty on outcomes.

Drivers’ reactions to real-world forward collision warnings at both macroscopic and microscopic longitudinal levels: A functional approach

Understanding drivers’ reactions to in-vehicle forward collision warnings (FCWs) is vital for advancing FCW design and improving road safety. However, past studies often used aggregated safety measures to analyze the drivers’ reactions to FCWs, thereby at the microscopic level, limiting our ability to understand drivers’ reactions to FCWs at particular timestamps immediately after FCWs are issued. Additionally, there has been a notable absence of studies at the macroscopic perspective focusing on analyzing how drivers’ reactions to FCWs evolve over an extended period of time. To overcome these two limitations, this study proposes a new research framework using Functional data analysis (FDA) approach to model driver behavior profile in response to FCWs at both microscopic and macroscopic longitudinal levels. Real-world FCW data collected from the New York City Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment project is used for the case study. At the microscopic level, a sparse functional design is adopted to model driver behavior profiles, accounting for irregularly spaced functional measurements. Nonparametric functional linear regression is then used to estimate the drivers’ reactions to FCWs at a particular timestamp immediately after FCWs are issued. At the macroscopic level, the functional two-sample test and a functional distance metric are used to examine changes in drivers’ reactions to FCWs over the study period and quantify the magnitude of these changes. Time to collision (TTC) and modified time to collision (MTTC) measures are used to represent driver behavior profiles, and both TTC and MTTC after FCWs are issued are modeled as functions with respect to time based on the proposed FDA approach. Compared to using aggregated safety measures including minimum TTC and MTTC as well as mean TTC and MTTC, new patterns of drivers’ reactions to FCWs are unveiled at both microscopic and macroscopic longitudinal levels. Study outputs reveal several key insights, including driver compensation behavior that escalates safety risk after an initial safety improvement and the diminishing safety benefits of FCWs from the beginning to the end of the after period. The proposed research framework can be generalized to analyze various types of in-vehicle driver warnings at both microscopic and macroscopic longitudinal levels. The findings of this study can support the calibration of detailed driver response behavior to in-vehicle warnings and facilitate the design of driver warning applications and further investigation of their safety benefits.

Multivariate patterns linking brain microstructure to temperament and behavior in adolescent eating disorders.

Eating disorders (EDs) are multifaceted psychiatric disorders characterized by varying behaviors, traits, and cognitive profiles thought to drive symptom heterogeneity and severity. Non-invasive neuroimaging methods have been critical to elucidate the neurobiological circuitry involved in ED-related behaviors, but often focused on a limited set of regions of interest and/or symptoms. The current study harnesses multivariate methods to map microstructural and morphometric patterns across the entire brain to multiple domains of behavior and symptomatology in patients. Diffusion-weighted images, modeled with restriction spectrum imaging, were analyzed for 91 adolescent patients with an ED and 48 healthy controls. Partial least squares analysis was applied to map 38 behavioral measures (encompassing cognition, temperament, and ED symptoms) to restricted diffusion in white matter tracts and subcortical structures across 65 regions of interest. The first significant latent variable explained 46.9% of the covariance between microstructure and behavior. This latent variable retained a significant brain-behavior correlation in held-out data, where an 'undercontrolled' behavioral profile (e.g., higher emotional dysregulation, novelty seeking; lower effortful control and interoceptive awareness) was linked to increased restricted diffusion across white matter tracts, particularly those joining frontal, limbic, and thalamic regions. Individually-derived brain and behavior scores for this latent variable were higher in patients with binge-purge symptoms, compared to those with only restrictive eating symptoms. Findings demonstrate the value of applying multivariate modeling to the array of brain-behavior relationships inherent to the clinical presentation of EDs, and their relevance for providing a neurobiologically-informed model for future clinical subtyping and prediction efforts.

Biological sex, microglial signaling pathways, and radiation exposure shape cortical proteomic profiles and behavior in mice

Patients receiving cranial radiation therapy experience tissue damage and cognitive deficits that severely decrease their quality of life. Experiments in rodent models show that these adverse neurological effects are in part due to functional changes in microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. Increasing evidence suggests that experimental manipulation of microglial signaling can regulate radiation-induced changes in the brain and behavior. Furthermore, many studies show sex-dependent neurological effects of radiation exposure. Despite this, few studies have used both males and females to explore how sex and microglial function interact to influence radiation effects on the brain. Here, we used a system levels approach to examine how deficiencies in purinergic and fractalkine signaling, two important microglial signaling pathways, impact brain proteomic and behavioral profiles in irradiated and control male and female mice. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the cortical proteomes from irradiated and control C57BL/6J, P2Y12−/−, and CX3CR1−/− mice of both sexes using multiple bioinformatics methods. We identified distinct proteins and biological processes, as well as behavioral profiles, regulated by sex, genotype, radiation exposure, and their interactions. Disrupting microglial signaling, had the greatest impact on proteomic expression, with CX3CR1−/− mice showing the most distinct proteomic profile characterized by upregulation of CX3CL1. Surprisingly, radiation exposure caused relatively smaller proteomic changes in glial and synaptic proteins, including Rgs10, Crybb1, C1qa, and Hexb. While we observed some radiation effects on locomotor behavior, biological sex as well as loss of P2Y12 and CX3CR1 signaling had a stronger influence on locomotor outcomes in our model. Lastly, loss of P2Y12 and CX3CR1 strongly regulated exploratory behaviors. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathways and proteins that are linked to P2Y12 and CX3CR1 signaling, biological sex, radiation exposure, and their interactions.

The association between erectile dysfunction and depression: a cross-sectional study of 21,139 Brazilian men.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and erectile dysfunction while controlling for sociodemographic, physical health, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Additionally, it aimed to compare erectile dysfunction with other clinical, laboratory, and behavioral variables among individuals with depression in the same population. We included 21,139 men (≥40 years) who underwent continuous health screening in a quaternary hospital in São Paulo between January 2008 and December 2018. The analysis included laboratory, clinical, and behavioral profile data. The multivariate model indicated that alcohol consumption, perceived stress, lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction, body mass index, and triglyceride levels were independent and strong factors associated with depression in men. Additionally, higher levels of physical activity were found to be an independent and strong factor associated with reduced odds of depression in men (all p<0.001). Additionally, depressed men had a higher body mass index (28.50±4.35 versus 27.65±3.93kg/m², p=0.003), and increased prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus , lower urinary tract symptoms, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver, sedentary physical activity levels, active tobacco use, risk of alcohol consumption, and perceived stress. Erectile dysfunction was an independent and strong factor associated with depression in Brazilian men, highlighting the need for integrated treatment approaches addressing both conditions.

Transcriptome Analysis of HNSCC by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Extracellular Vesicles.

The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs), also known as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), secreted by oral bacteria in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), is largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the influence of bacterial EVs, specifically those derived from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), on the progression of HNSCC. FaDu and UMSCC1 cell lines were treated with Aa-derived EVs, and oncogenic activities were assessed. Comprehensive cellular and RNA-sequencing transcriptome analyses were conducted to assess the impact of these EVs on cell cycle progression and gene expression. Our findings reveal that Aa-derived EVs accelerate cell cycle progression through the S and G2 phases and enhance invasion in HNSCC cell lines. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that Aa-derived EVs exert a more significant effect on general transcript expression than on microRNA profiles, except for miR-146a, which is recognized as a key factor in both carcinogenesis and immune modulation. Bacterial EVs, particularly from periodontal pathogens like Aa, are significant modulators within the oral cancer environment, potentially affecting cellular behavior and gene expression profiles. This study highlights the complex relationship between periodontal health and oral carcinogenesis, emphasizing the significant role of bacterial EVs in HNSCC progression.

Neuroscience Studies on ADHD and Autism: Exploring Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are two prevalent neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by distinct yet overlapping cognitive, behavioral, and neurological profiles. Neuroscience research has provided profound insights into the underlying neurodevelopmental mechanisms that contribute to these conditions, offering pathways for improved diagnosis, treatment, and support. This study explores the neural correlates of ADHD and ASD, focusing on brain structure, functional connectivity, and neurotransmitter systems. It also investigates genetic and environmental influences that contribute to these disorders. By integrating cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques such as functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) with behavioral assessments, this research aims to identify biomarkers that enhance diagnostic precision and therapeutic interventions. Additionally, it examines the implications of neuroplasticity and early intervention strategies in mitigating symptom severity. The study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary approaches that bridge neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD and ASD. By providing a deeper understanding of the neurodevelopmental underpinnings of these conditions, this research contributes to a growing body of knowledge aimed at fostering inclusive and evidence-based care.

The PrEP cascade in a sample of HIV-negative or unknown status adolescent and young adult transgender women in Peru.

Transgender women are a key population in the HIV epidemic globally, including in Peru. This cross-sectional epidemiological study characterized the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cascade in adolescent and young adult transgender women in Peru to inform roll-out of early HIV prevention efforts. Between February-July 2022, a community-recruited sample of HIV-negative or status unknown young transgender women (n = 140) in Peru completed a socio-behavioral survey and biological testing for HIV and bacterial STIs. Logistic regression models estimated the association of sociodemographic, healthcare, and behavioral factors to PrEP indication and willingness. Median age was 22years (range = 16-24 years); 65.7% reported sex work and 28.6% homelessness. Overall, 45.7% had a PrEP indication based on past 6months HIV behavioral risk profiles. In a multivariable model, sex work (aRR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.24-4.17) and homelessness (aRR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.00-1.60) were associated with PrEP indication. More than one-third (38.6%) had never been HIV tested; 25.3% were tested >1 year ago. Only 34.3% heard of daily oral PrEP, 8.6% reported ever PrEP use, and 5.0% current PrEP use. Nearly half (49.3%) reported willingness to take daily oral PrEP. In a multivariable model, younger age was associated with increased willingness to use PrEP (aRR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.87-0.98). Highest ranked PrEP preferences were a daily oral pill (35.7%), implant (32.1%), and injection by a provider (10.0%). PrEP indication and willingness were high in this sample, but HIV testing and PrEP uptake were low. Findings highlight opportunities for age-responsive and contextually-relevant interventions to increase HIV prevention among young transgender women in Peru.

Deep phenotypic profiling of neuroactive drugs in larval zebrafish

Behavioral larval zebrafish screens leverage a high-throughput small molecule discovery format to find neuroactive molecules relevant to mammalian physiology. We screen a library of 650 central nervous system active compounds in high replicate to train deep metric learning models on zebrafish behavioral profiles. The machine learning initially exploited subtle artifacts in the phenotypic screen, necessitating a complete experimental re-run with rigorous physical well-wise randomization. These large matched phenotypic screening datasets (initial and well-randomized) provide a unique opportunity to quantify and understand shortcut learning in a full-scale, real-world drug discovery dataset. The final deep metric learning model substantially outperforms correlation distance–the canonical way of computing distances between profiles–and generalizes to an orthogonal dataset of diverse drug-like compounds. We validate predictions by prospective in vitro radio-ligand binding assays against human protein targets, achieving a hit rate of 58% despite crossing species and chemical scaffold boundaries. These neuroactive compounds exhibit diverse chemical scaffolds, demonstrating that zebrafish phenotypic screens combined with metric learning achieve robust scaffold hopping capabilities.

Partial replacement of soybean with local alternative sources: effects on behavior, cecal microbiota, and intestinal histomorphometry of local chickens.

Interest in partially replacing soybean meal in poultry diets with alternative protein sources such as agri-industrial by-products and black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) has gained significant attention due to sustainability concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of broiler diets in which soybean meal was partially substituted with agri-industrial by-products with or without BSF larvae meal, on the behavior, intestinal histomorphometry, and microbiome profile of a local broiler chicken strain. There were three dietary treatments. (1) A corn-soybean-based diet (Control), (2) a diet in which soybean was partly replaced (SPR) with local agri-industrial by-products, namely sunflower meal, brewers' dried grain, and wheat middlings, and (3) a diet in which BSF (5%) meal was added to SPR (SPR+BSF). Behavior was recorded on days 14, 35, and 49 at the pen level. On day 55, intestinal segments and cecal contents were collected from eight chickens per pen for histomorphometry and microbiome analysis. Dietary manipulations did not affect the behavior of broiler chickens (P > 0.05) suggesting that the experimental diets had no influence on behavior. A significant interaction between the intestinal segment and diets revealed that the SPR and SPR+BSF diets decreased duodenal villus height (VH) compared to the control diet (P < 0.05). However, this effect was not consistent across all of intestinal segments. Diet did not affect villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD; P > 0.05), indicating no significant impact on the absorptive capacity of the digestive system. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in the cecal samples. Colidextribacter and Oscillibacter spp. were more abundant in chickens fed the SPR diet compared to those fed the control diet. The SPR+BSF diet resulted in higher abundance of Rikenella and Colidextribacter spp. compared to the control diet, while Desulfovibrio, Ruminococcus torques group, and Lachnoclostridium were more abundant in the ceca of birds fed the SPR diet than those fed SPR+BSF. In conclusion, replacement of soybean with agri-industrial by-products and BSF larvae meal could regulate the cecal microbiota composition without negatively affecting the behavior and intestinal histomorphometry of the local chickens.

Beyond Breeding: Re-Interpreting Paradigms in Domestic Dog Aggression Research

Pet dog aggression is a research theme of extreme importance since, today more than ever, caretakers have the motivation and interest to better understand and relate to their dogs. However, most of the literature exploring this theme focuses on biased views of breeding, behaviour profiles and aggression itself. That way, many studies regarding incident predictability end in the same pitfall of standardizing aggression by a single factor, like breed, instead of approaching other important factors beyond genetics and learning. In this essay, we propose a new approach to understand aggression in dogs, taking from non-dichotomous and non-urban-western views. Regarding the animal as complex developing systems, that are always shaping and being shaped by its surrounding environment. With said approach, factors such as skull morphology, size, weight, caretaker relationship and culture, should be further incorporated in research for a deeper understanding of dog aggression as a social communicative behaviour.

Analysis of behavioral flow resolves latent phenotypes

The accurate detection and quantification of rodent behavior forms a cornerstone of basic biomedical research. Current data-driven approaches, which segment free exploratory behavior into clusters, suffer from low statistical power due to multiple testing, exhibit poor transferability across experiments and fail to exploit the rich behavioral profiles of individual animals. Here we introduce a pipeline to capture each animal’s behavioral flow, yielding a single metric based on all observed transitions between clusters. By stabilizing these clusters through machine learning, we ensure data transferability, while dimensionality reduction techniques facilitate detailed analysis of individual animals. We provide a large dataset of 771 behavior recordings of freely moving mice—including stress exposures, pharmacological and brain circuit interventions—to identify hidden treatment effects, reveal subtle variations on the level of individual animals and detect brain processes underlying specific interventions. Our pipeline, compatible with popular clustering methods, substantially enhances statistical power and enables predictions of an animal’s future behavior.

Global trends in importance of 24-hour movement behaviors to pediatric health: implications for South Korea.

Cultivating a 24-hour movement behavioral profile conducive to health and well-being, marked by adequate levels of physical activity, limited screen time, and sufficient sleep, has emerged as an important avenue for promoting pediatric health. We aimed to provide evidence of this potential, this multiphase, multimethod, and integrative review comprehensively investigated the global trends in health promotion initiatives and status of the Korean pediatric population. This integrative review comprised 3 phases employing various review methods: an environmental scan of existing guidelines for 24-hour movement behaviors worldwide, a rapid review of physical activity-related indicators from Global Matrix data, and a systematic review of 24-hour movement behaviors among children and adolescents in South Korea. The growing recognition of a holistic approach to the 24-hour movement behavior paradigm in pediatric health promotion has led to the establishment and adoption of 24-hour movement guidelines in different countries and by the World Health Organization (WHO). Korean health authorities have also responded to this need by releasing a translated report of the WHO guidelines for physical activity and sedentary behavior as well as the 2024 update of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Koreans. Accordingly, actions must be followed in policy, research, and practice. This is critical considering that Korean children and adolescents exhibit an unfavorable profile of 24-hour movement behaviors compared to the global average. Among those aged 0-6 years, the weighted averages for guideline adherence were 18.2% for physical activity, 38.1% for sedentary behavior, and 76.2% for sleep. For those aged 12-18 years, the weighted averages for guideline adherence were 20.4% for physical activity, 55.9% for sedentary behavior, and 26.2% for sleep. Building on these current findings, this integrative review provides 3 priorities for pediatric health promotion policy and practice and 3 recommendations for future research.

PERFIL DOS CONSUMIDORES DE ESPÉCIES OLERÍCOLAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE ARAGUAÍNA - TO

In the current scenario, the vegetable production chain in the municipality of Araguaína, Tocantins, shows a notable rise. As the demand for vegetable products grows, bringing with it an increasingly demanding consumer when it comes to purchasing vegetables, it is up to members of the production chain to uncover the behavior of the final public of their products. Therefore, this work aimed to analyze the behavior profile of consumers in the vegetable production chain in Araguaína - TO, regarding socioeconomic characteristics and consumption patterns, in addition to their correlation. The approach used was qualitative-quantitative, descriptive and exploratory in nature. Interviews were carried out and 188 questionnaires were administered to vegetable consumers in Araguaína - TO. As a result of the study, it was found that the majority of interviewees were female, aged between 21 and 40 years old, married, had completed high school as their level of education, and declared that they buy vegetables once a week and consume three times a week. Tomatoes and onions are the most purchased vegetable crops, and the supermarket is the main place to purchase them. It was found that the interviewees dispose of vegetables infrequently and the main method of disposal is common waste.

The preparation and evaluation of granulated chitosan-catechin tablets with excellent disintegration properties

In this study, we prepared granulated chitosan (G-CS)/catechin tablets with excellent disintegration properties. We then compared their physical properties, dissolution behavior, and pharmacokinetic profile to non-granulated chitosan (N-CS)/catechin tablets. During the tableting process, the G-CS/catechin tablets demonstrated significantly higher compatibility and superior manufacturability, as evidenced by lower ejection and detachment stress than the N-CS/catechin tablets. This resulted in more robust tablets with better physical properties. The dissolution of catechin from the G-CS/catechin tablets occurred significantly faster than from the N-CS/catechin tablets, resulting in a significantly higher 2,2′-azino-bis(3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity. Similarly, the primary catechin components of the tablets, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine, showed faster dissolution and membrane uptake from the G-CS/catechin tablets. These indicate a more efficient tablet formulation than N-CS/catechin tablets. Furthermore, the absorption and bioavailability of EGCG and caffeine in rats were significantly higher after oral administration of the G-CS/catechin tablets than the N-CS/catechin tablets. These findings suggest that G-CS/catechin tablets, having better disintegration properties than N-CS/catechin tablets, could allow for combination with other supplements, leading to the design of highly efficient supplement combination tablets.

Cafeteria diet and caloric restriction affect metabolic but not behavioral characteristics in male Wistar rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a cafeteria diet and caloric restriction on behavioral and metabolic profiles of adult male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12/group) and from 10 weeks of age fed either ad libitum standard rat chow (control group), ad libitum cafeteria diet in addition to standard chow (diet-induced obesity (DIO) group) or kept on caloric restriction (at 85% weight of controls; restricted group) for a period of 12 weeks. Body weight was assessed twice per week and glucose levels were measured at three times during the 12-week period. At week 11 the animals were behaviorally profiled using the multivariate concentric square field™ (MCSF) test. After 12 weeks of diet the animals were euthanized, blood collected, relative organ weights were assessed and plasma or serum levels of insulin, glucose, and lipid profile were measured. The DIO group gained 23% more weight than the control group (p < 0.001) and increased adipose tissue weight in comparison to the control (p < 0.001) and restricted (p < 0.001) groups. Glucose was significantly increased (p < 0.001) only during the second measurement at week 7 and insulin levels were elevated in the DIO group compared to controls and restricted groups (p < 0.01; p < 0.001, respectively). Plasma cholesterol levels were reduced for both DIO (p < 0.01) and restricted (p < 0.001) groups relative to controls. Adiponectin and leptin levels were higher for the DIO group in comparison to both the control (p < 0.001; p < 0.05) and restricted (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) groups. Thus, the two diets led to significant changes in body weight gain, adiposity, and metabolism. However, they did not alter the behavioral profiles in the MCSF test, suggesting that activity, exploration, risk assessment, risk taking or shelter seeking remained unaffected by the dietary interventions. The current findings suggest that an increase or reduction in energy intake resulted in no behavioral effects, despite the accompanying glycemic alterations potentially related to diabetes development.