Nutritional Capacity Research Articles

Two-dimensional health state map to define metabolic health using separated static and dynamic homeostasis features: a proof-of-concept study

Abstract Defining metabolic health is critical for earlier reversing metabolic dysfunction and disease, and fasting-based diagnosis may not adequately assess individual's metabolic adaptivity under stress. We constructed a novel Health State Map (HSM) comprising Health Phenotype Score (HPS) with fasting features alone and Homeostatic Resilience Score (HRS) with a 5-time point features only (t = 30, 60, 90, 180, 240 min) following a standardized mixed macronutrient tolerance test (MMTT). Among 111 adult Chinese, the mixed-score, using the same set of fasting and post-MMTT data as HSM, was highly correlated with HPS. HRS was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome prevalence, independent of HPS (OR [95% CI]: 0.41 [0.18, 0.92]) and the mixed-score (0.34 [0.15, 0.69]). Moreover, HRS could discriminate metabolic characteristics unseparated by HPS and the mixed-score. Participants with higher HRS had better metabolic traits than those with lower HRS. Large interpersonal variations were also evidenced by evaluating postprandial homeostatic resiliencies for glucose, lipids, and amino acids, when participants had similar overall HRS. Additionally, HRS was positively associated with physical activity level and specific gut microbiome structure. Collectively, our HSM model might offer a novel approach to precisely define an individual's metabolic health and nutritional capacity.

Strengthening nutrition policy and service delivery: Lessons learned from a six-country assessment of Alive and Thrive's technical assistance.

Alive & Thrive (A&T) provides strategic technical assistance (TA) to develop effective policies; improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) programme design and implementationand enhance system capacity to sustain quality MIYCN service delivery at scale. A qualitative assessment was conducted using document review and stakeholder interviews (n = 79) to describe a selection of A&T's TA in six countries and systematically assess the contextual and TA process-related factors that influenced the results achieved and document the lessons learned about MIYCN TA design and implementation. To facilitate the selection of different types of TA, we classified TA into two levels of stakeholder engagement and intensity. Under the Technical Advisor TA category, we assessed A&T's support to strengthen national policy formulation, monitoring, and implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. For Capacity Development TA, we assessed A&T support to scale-up maternal nutrition services and to increase strategic use of data. Factors important for TA provision included identifying and engaging with the right people, using evidence to support advocacy and decision-making, using multiple ways to strengthen capacity, developing packages of tools to support programme scale-up, and reinforcing feedback mechanisms to improve service provision and data quality. Challenges included shifts in the political context, poorly functioning health systems, and limited resources to replicate or sustain the progress made. Continued investment in evidence-based and practical TA that strengthens the institutionalization of nutrition across all stakeholders-including government, medical associations, civil societyand development partners-is essential. Future TA must support governments to strengthen system capacity for nutrition, including financial and human resource gaps that hamper full scale-up.

Effect of Herbivory on the Nutritional Value of Six Hardwood Species for White-Tailed Deer in the Allegheny Forest

Abstract Herbivores alter plant quantity and quality through direct tissue consumption and indirectly via the structural and chemical allocational strategies plants deploy in response to herbivory. Herein, we examine how browsing by white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus alters nutritional quality of six regenerating hardwood species: red maple Acer rubrum, black cherry Prunus serotina, birch Betula spp., pin cherry Prunus pennsylvanica, white ash Fraxinus americana, and American beech Fagus grandifolia. Using an established, large-scale experiment that manipulated deer access to fenced plots, we tested whether browsing altered the nutritional quality and biomass as well as nutritional capacity to support deer of six hardwood species in an early successional hardwood forest of Pennsylvania, USA. Pin cherry was the most nutritious of the six species, with greater dry matter digestibility and digestible protein and lesser neutral detergent fiber. Areas exposed to browsing had less browse biomass of stems and leaves yet greater digestible protein, an effect driven by digestible protein of pin cherry. We found no effect of browsing on neutral detergent fiber or dry matter digestibility. Although deer browsing reduced biomass of the six hardwood species, it did not alter the nutritional capacity to support lactating females in the summer. Our results confirm that browsing limits tree regeneration and available browse and provides conservative conclusions on how deer can alter their diet quality.

Perspectives of rural farmer households on food security through a qualitative study in Indonesia

In developing countries, rural farmers contribute significantly to food production, but their households are still vulnerable to poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunting. Although quantitative studies have explored the factors that influence farmers' dietary diversity, the data can be improved by integrating farmers' experiences and perspectives on whether and how these factors affect their dietary diversity. Malnutrition and food insecurity are more prevalent in developing and underdeveloped nations like Africa and Southeast Asia. Due to increased work, this country usually sees a rise in stunting, malnutrition, and increased physical activity. Stunting has a higher prevalence than other nutritional disorders, such as malnutrition, according to Nutrition Status Monitoring (NSM) data over the last three years. The frequency of stunting in children under five has risen from 27% in 2016 to 29% in 2017. This will assist in designing and implementing interventions. Forty rural farmers in Bone Regency, Indonesia, became informants in targeted interviews as part of the qualitative study (20 male and 20 female farmers). According to the research results, both male and female informants were concerned about the availability and variety of food. They feel that household food production is essential to achieve food security. Food sales are affected by prices, household income, distance to markets, and the range of food available. Household food production, knowledge, nutrition, availability, use of information, time, and household income are significant determinants of the variety of food consumed. In farming households, gender influences and variations on the distribution and use of food collected and income are explored. Men have more time to engage in agricultural endeavors that promote dietary diversity. Based on these findings, efforts to increase dietary diversity should address current food security and production challenges, support increased farm incomes and market access, utilize designs that address gender issues, and include nutrition capacity building, diverse practices, and social behavior change strategies. Key words: rural farmers, food security, food diversity, nutrition, market access, Indonesia

Role of Biostimulants in Inducing Resistance for Phytosanitary Management

Biostimulants perform functions that improve plant metabolism and can positively interfere with processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, synthesis of nucleic acids and absorption of ions. Furthermore, they improve the roots’ ability to absorb nutrients. Thus, bistimulants can help to induce plant resistance by improving the nutritional capacity of plants, making them more tolerant to pathogen attack. Therefore, the use of biostimulants can have beneficial effects, providing an increase in plant productivity, whether through stimulating their physiology or controlling diseases.

Nutritional Delivery and Adequacy during Bile Reinfusion in Post-Surgical Patients

Background: Bile acid and salts depletion from high output bile in post- gastrointestinal surgical patients can lead to fat malabsorption causing malnutrition, fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, acute kidney injury and electrolyte abnormalities. Bile reinfusion is a method for restoration of bile salts in the gut. However, there are no studies which describe feeding delivery and nutritional adequacy during bile reinfusion. Methods: Patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery and who have high bile output >500ml were included. Patients were started on oral, tube feeding and/or parenteral nutrition. Results: Twenty post- gastrointestinal surgical patients with a mean age of 48±13.5years and body mass index of 23.94±4.0kg/m2 had high output bile and in whom reinfusion was initiated. An average volume of 531±438ml/day of bile was reinfused for 9±4.99days along with oral diet or tube feeding and/or parenteral nutrition. Of the 20patients, 2 were exclusively on tube feeding, 5 on tube feeding and oral, 7 on oral and supplemental parenteral nutrition, and 6 on tube feeding with supplemental parenteral nutrition. Adequacy of energy and protein were categorized as ≥70% and <70%. Adequacy of protein and energy of ≥70% was achieved among 13patients (p=0.004, p=0.012). Although the adequacy was not statistically significant due to the small sample size, 18patients were discharged in clinically good condition and 2patients did not survive. Conclusions: The improvement in the patient’s nutrition, as in this study, is probably a significant contributing factor towards a positive postoperative outcome. Clinical benefits of this technique include fluid and electrolyte balance and optimal utilization of remaining absorptive capacity for enteral and/or oral nutrition.

Digestibility of dinosaur food plants revisited and expanded: Previous data, new taxa, microbe donors, foliage maturity, and seasonality

Although the living relatives of the Mesozoic flora were once assumed to constitute a nutritionally poor diet for dinosaur herbivores, in vitro fermentation of their foliage has shown that gymnosperms, ferns, and fern relatives can be as highly digestible as angiosperm grasses and dicots. Because nutritional information cannot be preserved in the fossil record, this laboratory approach, first published in 2008, provides a novel alternative to evaluate the digestive quality of the plants that were available to dinosaur megaherbivores such as sauropods. However, very few further studies have since been conducted to supplement and confirm the high fermentative capacity of nonangiospermous taxa. Here we show that the living relatives of the Araucariaceae and Equistaceae are consistently highly digestible, even between taxa and when influenced by environmental and biological factors, while fern taxa are inconsistent on the family level. These results reinforce previous findings about the high energetic potential of Jurassic-age plant families. Fourteen species of fern and gymnosperm foliage from five Jurassic families were collected in the spring and fall, then analyzed for their digestibility using the in vitro Hohenheim gas test. Equisetum, Araucaria, and Angiopteris were the most digestible genera in both seasons, while Agathis, Wollemia, and Marattia were the least digestible. The season in which specimens were collected was found to have to a significant effect on gas production in four out of 16 samples (P < 0.05). Furthermore, leaf maturity influences digestibility in Marattia attenuata (P < 0.05), yet not in Cyathea cooperi (P = 0.24). Finally, the species of the rumen fluid donor did not influence digestibility (P = 0.74). With the original data set supplemented by one new genus and four species, this study confirms and expands previous results about the nutritional capacity of the living relatives of the Jurassic flora.

Inhibition of broomrape germination by 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol produced by environmental Pseudomonas.

Parasitic weeds such as broomrapes (Phelipanche ramosa and Orobanche cumana) cause severe damage to crops and their development must be controlled. Given that phloroglucinol compounds (PGCs) produced by environmental Pseudomonas could be toxic towards certain plants, we assessed the potential herbicidal effect of the bacterial model Pseudomonas ogarae F113, a PGCs-producing bacterium, on parasitic weed. By combining the use of a mutagenesis approach and of pure PGCs, we evaluated the in vitro effect of PGC-produced by P. ogarae F113 on broomrape germination and assessed the protective activity of a PGC-producing bacteria on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) against P. ramosa in non-sterile soils. We showed that the inhibition of the germination depends on the PGCs molecular structure and their concentrations as well as the broomrape species and pathovars. This inhibition caused by the PGCs is irreversible, causing a brown coloration of the broomrape seeds. The inoculation of PGCs-producing bacteria limited the broomrape infection of P. ramosa, without affecting the host growth. Moreover, elemental profiling analysis of oilseed rape revealed that neither F113 nor applied PGCs affected the nutrition capacity of the oilseed rape host. Our study expands the knowledge on plant-beneficial Pseudomonas as weed biocontrol agents and opens new avenues for the development of natural bioherbicides to enhance crop yield.

The in vivo and in vitro protein quality of three hemp protein sources.

In this work, the protein quality of defatted hemp hearts and protein-enriched hemp fractions was determined. Protein quality was assessed using a rodent bioassay to evaluate growth and protein digestibility, while amino acid composition was determined via HPLC. A method for determining in vitro protein digestibility was compared to in vivo methodology and used to generate an in vitro protein quality score. The true protein digestibility of hemp protein 2, a hemp protein concentrate, was significantly lower than that of either defatted hemp hearts or hemp protein 1, a hemp protein concentrate (p < .05). While there was no relationship between the in vivo and in vitro measurements of protein digestibility (R 2 = .293, p = .459), there was a significant correlation between the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) determined in vivo and in vitro PDCAAS (R 2 = .989, p = .005). The protein efficiency ratio of hemp protein 1 was significantly lower than that of either defatted hemp hearts or hemp protein 2 (p < .05). These data highlight the nutritional capacity of hemp protein sources while also demonstrating the relationship between in vivo and in vitro methods for determining protein quality.

Capacity needs assessment and challenges for multisectoral implementation of nutrition in Burkina Faso: A guide for the formulation of a capacity development plan.

Achieving nutritional goals depends on individual, organisational and environmental capacities. The aim of this study was to analyse and identify capacity gaps among the coordination platforms and networks, and the key technical institutions related to nutrition in Burkina Faso for a capacity development plan formulation. Using the new Nutrition Capacity Framework developed by the United Nations Network, information were collected using the Nutrition Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis tool, and the Checklist for Capacity Areas. Capacity needs were analysed in terms of Human resource and infrastructure, functional, organisational, coordination and partnership, and financial and resource mobilisation. Limited human resource capacity in nutrition was highlighted in most cases by the structures, and the nutrition coordination structure and more than 4/5 of the technical structures are faced with the unavailability of working materials, tools and basic Internet connection. Only 10 among the 30 structures have a unit or service for exchange on nutrition, and only three of them have integrated nutrition actions. Shortfalls were noted in terms of functional, facilitation, communication and advocacy skills, as well as a weak diversification of resource mobilisation strategies. The use of the analytical framework helped to identify the gaps and to propose paths for capacity development. Efforts need to be strengthened, intensified, coordinated, monitored, evaluated and funded.

Integrated lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the mechanism of lipid biosynthesis and accumulation during seed development in sesame.

Sesame is one of the most important oilseed crops and attracts significant attention because of its huge nutritional capacity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oil accumulation in sesame remains poorly understood. In this study, lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses in different stages of sesame seed (Luzhi No.1, seed oil content 56%) development were performed to gain insight into the regulatory mechanisms that govern differences in lipid composition, content, biosynthesis, and transport. In total, 481 lipids, including fatty acids (FAs, 38 species), triacylglycerol (TAG, 127 species), ceramide (33 species), phosphatidic acid (20 species), and diacylglycerol (17 species), were detected in developing sesame seed using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Most FAs and other lipids accumulated 21-33 days after flowering. RNA-sequence profiling in developing seed highlighted the enhanced expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and transport of FAs, TAGs, and membrane lipids, which was similar to that seen during lipid accumulation. Through the differential expression analysis of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis and metabolism during seed development, several candidate genes were found to affect the oil content and FA composition of sesame seed, including ACCase, FAD2, DGAT, G3PDH, PEPCase, WRI1 and WRI1-like genes. Our study reveals the patterns of lipid accumulation and biosynthesis-related gene expression and lays an important foundation for the further exploration of sesame seed lipid biosynthesis and accumulation.

Forage Supplementation Feeding of Lactating Merino Ewes in Dry Season at the Foothills Agro-ecological Zone in Lesotho

A farmer-participatory research, which lasted for seven weeks, was carried out at Machache, in the Foothills Agro-Ecological Zone of Lesotho to examine the effect of forage based diets supplementary feeding on the performance response and milk quality of lactating ewes during dry lambing season. A total of 270 lactating merino ewes were randomly distributed among four dietary treatments: basal diet (T1) which was the range land pasture used as control, cereal forage based diet (T2), leguminous forage based diet (T3) and mixed forage based diet (T4). The feed value of the supplementary diets T2 (4.70% CP and 9.94MJ/kg ME), T3 (12.31% CP and 10.27 MJ/kg ME), T4 (11.90% CP and 10.47 MJ/kg ME)] was superior to that of the range land pasture T1 (2.80% CP and 8.61MJ/kg ME). Ewes on forage supplemented diets performed significantly (P&lt;0.05) better than the control group in feed intake, live body weight and live weight change. The milk quality evaluation showed that solids-non-fat (SNF), protein and lactose were highly significant (P&lt;0.05) for T3 and T4 than T1 and T2 which had high milk fat. The study revealed that diets T1 and T2 lacked the nutritional capacity to meet the nutrient requirements of lactating ewes as evidenced by slight body weight improvement. It is concluded that supplementary diets T3 (leguminous forage based diet) and T4 (mixed forage based diet) contained adequate nutrients that can meet the requirement of lactating ewes during dry lambing season. This was verified by high voluntary feed intake and good nutrients utilization as resulted by improving of body weight and high milk quality response of lactating ewes.

Insecticidal Mechanism of Botanical Crude Extracts and Their Silver Nanoliquids on Phenacoccus solenopsis.

In recent years, intensive studies have been carried out on the management of agricultural insect pests using botanical insecticides in order to decrease the associated environmental hazards. Many studies have tested and characterized the toxic action of plant extracts. Four plant extracts (Justicia adhatoda, Ipomea carnea, Pongamia glabra, and Annona squamosa) containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were studied for their effects on Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) using the leaf dip method. The effects were estimated based on assays of hydrolytic enzyme (amylase, protease, lipase, acid phosphatase, glycosidase, trehalase, phospholipase A2, and invertase) and detoxification enzyme (esterase and lactate dehydrogenase) levels; macromolecular content (total body protein, carbohydrate, and lipid); and protein profile. The results show that the total body of P. solenopsis contains trypsin, pepsin, invertase, lipase, and amylase, whereas J. adathoda and I. carnea aqueous extracts considerably decreased the protease and phospholipase A2 levels, and A. squamosa aqueous extract dramatically increased the trehalase level in a dose-dependent manner. The enzyme levels were dramatically decreased by P. glabura-AgNPs (invertase, protease, trehalase, lipase, and phospholipase A2); I. carnea-AgNPs (invertase, lipase, and phospholipase A2); A. squamosa-AgNPs (protease, phospholipase A2); and J. adathoda-AgNPs (protease, lipase, and acid phosphatase). Plant extracts and their AgNPs significantly reduced P. solenopsis esterase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in a dose-dependent manner. At higher concentrations (10%), all of the investigated plants and their AgNPs consistently decreased the total body carbohydrate, protein, and fat levels. It is clear that the plant extracts, either crude or together with AgNPs, may result in the insects having inadequate nutritional capacity, which will impact on all critical actions of the affected hydrolytic and detoxication enzymes.

Nutrition Capacity Assessment of Agriculture Extension Services in Nigeria.

Achieving meaningful malnutrition reductions in Nigeria and other high-burden countries requires sustained improvements in diets, mediated through nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems. Yet, the capacity to design, plan, implement, and monitor such nutrition-sensitive systems is very limited, including within agricultural extension services delivery. Understanding existing capacity of actors required to implement nutrition change is crucial for effective capacity development. This study assessed the nutrition capacity of agriculture extension agents (AEAs) in Nigeria and the capacity of their organizations and the institutions within which they operate. The study assessed 31 extension training materials for inclusion of recommendations for nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 23 extension agents and were coded and analyzed for major themes. Training materials hardly included nutrition objectives and or nutrition-related services to be delivered. Some nutrition-related services were being delivered, including promotion of biofortified crops and nutrient-dense crops and animals, home gardening, food safety, and dietary diversification. However, these services were limited, and service delivery was unstructured, nonuniform, and inconsistent. Numbers of AEAs are quite inadequate while available AEAs had high workloads, are poorly motivated, and had limited funding, supervision, and logistics capacity to perform roles. Physical security was also a challenge for service delivery. Further, complementary activities in other sectors that were necessary for adequate delivery of nutrition-sensitive agriculture did not always exist. Extensive development of nutrition capacities of extension agents appears unlikely to achieve nutrition-related changes if limiting institutional and organizational capacity deficits are not addressed. Capacity of Agriculture Extension Agents in Nigeria to Deliver Nutrition Services. Reducing the significant burden of malnutrition in Nigeria requires increased availability and consumption of foods that are nutritious and free from harmful substances. To produce such foods, farmers need adequate nutrition and food safety knowledge and skills. The production of such food will also need to support nutrition in other ways, including increased women's empowerment. Extension agents traditionally support farmers to adopt new methods of food production and/or processing that support increased food yields. These agents can also be used to deliver services that will address nutrition if they have the necessary knowledge and skills. This study assessed the capacity of agriculture extension agents in Nigeria to deliver nutrition services, in order to determine how to increase their capacity to deliver these services. The results from the study are that the extension agents do not have sufficient knowledge and skills to deliver nutrition services, and that their organizations and the wider context in which they work do not have the capacity to enable them to deliver nutrition services effectively. For instance, the organizations do not have sufficient numbers of staff and do not provide current staff with adequate means of transportation to visit farmers. Insecurity is high and so extension agents are unable to visit farmers frequently because of the potential threats to their lives. The study concludes that effectively using extension agents to deliver nutrition services will require not just training of the extension agents but also improvements in organizational capacity and contextual factors.

The impact of heavy metal contamination on soil quality and plant nutrition. Sustainable management of moderate contaminated agricultural and urban soils, using low cost materials and promoting circular economy

A three-year experiment was conducted over six different soils, from northern and central Greece. The soils samples derived from both rural and urban environments, and they were moderately contaminated with heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn). Experiments were carried out by adding crop residues of wheat straw, cultivated in the plain of Thessaly, in the soil samples. Preliminary experiments were carried out to find the optimal mixing ratio of straw with soils, as well as the cut size, the temperature and humidity of the straw before its incorporation. The addition of wheat straw caused significant changes in the visual, physical, chemical, nutritional and microbiological quality indices of the soils studied. The indices related to the fertility and nutritional capacity of the soil samples were, in most cases, significantly improved, enhancing the soil health. Furthermore, the use of the straw reduced the availability of toxic metals, increasing, on the other hand, the availability of trace elements. Although the use of straw for improving soil properties has been known since ancient times, its use for polluted soil remediation is a matter of concern. A significant number of environmental and economic problems could be addressed if the principles of the circular economy were taken into account by decision-makers. Wheat straw, could be a key factor for soil health improvement, increasing its fertility and limiting the risks of toxic pollutants.

Nitric acid-potassium hydroxide fractionation of rice straw: an integrated biorefinery initiative

Abstract Pulping of rice straw was studied using mild nitric acid in mild conditions. Spent nitric acid was chosen as soil nutrient rather than followed by the liquor recovery. The rice straw was treated with 11.03% nitric acid at 90 °C for 3 h, yielded 53.09% pulp. Nitric acid treated rice straw pulp had high residual lignin and minerals. However, further treatment with 7% potassium hydroxide reduced the residual lignin and produced pulp with kappa number 20.36. The papermaking properties of the nitric acid followed by KOH treated pulp showed better quality than the nitric acid pulp. The spent nitric acid liquor was reused repeatedly, pulp yield decreased and residual lignin content increased in each step of spent nitric acid reusing. The spent nitric acid liquor and potassium hydroxide liquor-mixed together to get a neutral effluent liquor which was rich with potassium, nitrogen and biomass. The nutritional capacity of the effluent liquor was assessed by incubation with control soil. The labile form of organic carbon, nitrogen, potassium phosphorous and iron increased in the incubated soil.

Building capacity for nutrition at all life stages and system levels: a national review of existing Nutrition and Dietetics programs curricula in Ghana

Building capacity for nutrition at all life stages and system levels: a national review of existing Nutrition and Dietetics programs curricula in Ghana

Fermented Angelica sinensis activates Nrf2 signaling and modulates the gut microbiota composition and metabolism to attenuate D-gal induced liver aging.

Aging is an inevitable physiological process associated with an imbalance in the oxidative defense system. Angelica sinensis, a kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has anti-oxidant effects and has been considered as a potential supplement in anti-aging treatment. Nevertheless, it has the disadvantages of slow efficacy and long duration of treatment. Fermentation, as an efficient biotechnological approach, is beneficial for improving the nutritional capacity of the material. Fermented TCMs are considered to be more effective. In this study, fermented Angelica sinensis (FAS) and non-fermented Angelica sinensis (NFAS) were used to investigate changes in the chemical constituents. Furthermore, the improvement effect of FAS on D-galactose-induced aging in mice and the potential mechanisms were explored. The results revealed that FAS and NFAS had different constituents under the influence of fermentation, such as 3-phenyllactic acid, L-5-hydroxytryptophan, taxifolin and methyl gallate. These elevated constituents of FAS might help increase the ability of FAS to improve aging. The aging model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (2.5 g kg-1 day-1) for 44 days, and FAS (3 g kg-1 day-1) was administered daily by oral gavage after 2 weeks of induction with D-galactose. FAS was observed to significantly ameliorate changes associated with liver aging, such as reduction of MDA, AGEs and 8-OHdG. The contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines containing TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly suppressed in the FAS group. In addition, FAS activated Nrf2 signaling better than NFAS, improved the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, GCLC, GCLM and GSS, and further increased the activities of SOD, CAT and other antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Simultaneously, it had a certain repair effect on the liver tissues of mice. The intestinal microbiota analysis showed that FAS could regulate the microbiota imbalance caused by aging, increase the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes by 95% and improve the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria related to Nrf2 signaling, such as Lactobacillus. Besides, fecal metabolite analysis identified uric acid as an evidential metabolite, suggesting that FAS participates in purine metabolism to improve aging. Therefore, the regulation of intestinal microbiota and metabolism may be one of the important mechanisms of FAS in alleviating hepatic oxidative stress via the gut-liver axis. The results of this study could provide information for the future development of postbiotic products that may have beneficial effects on the prevention or treatment of aging.

Preliminary Study on the Larval Development of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on Different Types of Substrates Used as Reference in Forensic Entomology

Necrophagous insects are indicators of corpse decay. Analyses of their development stages give us indications on the degree of decay of corpses and contribute to the determination of the post-mortem interval. The differences in structure, biochemical composition and nutritive capacity of the cadaveric substratum can impair the duration of the developmental stages and dimensions of the organisms that metamorphose. This work tackles the study of the development, in laboratory conditions, of Calliphora vicina in correlation with different nutritive substrates (from areas of the corpse strongly affected by the incipient attack of Diptera) in order to obtain preliminary data, aiming to determine the post-mortem interval.

A call for joined-up action to promote nutrition across the first 2000 days of life using a food systems approach.

Nutrition across the first 2000 days of life, from conception to age five, is considered critical in shaping lifelong nutrition and health outcomes, with dietary patterns tracking from infancy into later childhood and adulthood. Identifying potential policy, programmatic, and research opportunities is essential to inform action in this area. This research was undertaken to provide an overview of the evidence support, policy mechanisms and stakeholder perspectives on opportunities for improving nutrition across the first 2000 days of life to guide future investments and to inform policy dialogues with relevant government, non-government and external agencies within the state of Victoria, Australia. Underpinned by UNICEF's Innocenti Framework, this research comprised: a) a rapid review of existing systematic reviews (n = 60) supplemented with key grey literature reports; b) mapping of potential policy and programmatic levers and partnerships against 14 identified areas; and c) qualitative semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders across health (n = 4), education (n = 2), local government (n = 1), non-government organisations/not-for-profits (n = 5), and peak bodies (n = 2). The 'caregiver behaviours' determinant within the Innocenti Framework yielded the largest number of systematic reviews and had the strongest alignment to existing policy frameworks. Victoria has a robust state-level policy mechanism for preventive health. However, policy voids were identified within the 'external food environment' and 'food supply chains' determinants due to a lack of regulation to restrict marketing and advertising by harmful food industries and no national food and nutrition plan. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed three key themes: a) continuity of care from pre-conception to childcare; b) consistency and strengthening of early years nutrition messages; and c) capacity for early years nutrition initiatives. Numerous opportunities were identified to improve nutrition across the first 2000 days of life within national, state and local government systems, using policy, practice and research mechanisms. More joined-up action and greater program/policy coherence is needed, with funded capacity to facilitate the delivery of coordinated and integrated services to address nutrition in the first 2000 days of life. Further exploration is needed of the feasibility, acceptability and equity impacts, and in some cases effectiveness, of these opportunities in close collaboration with stakeholders.