Food Expenditure Research Articles

Study on the Influence of Canopy Density on Cycling of Soil Available N in Different Landform of Loess Plateau in China

In this paper, a total of 330 soil samples with 0-100cm soil depth of 66 planted square forest (10*10m) with different canopy density in the Loess Plateau were selected for the determination and analysis of soil N content in different soil layers, and the effects of different canopy density on soil N cycle under different topographic factors of planted forest were studied. The results showed as follows: (1) the migration mechanism of different N forms to the root surface was different, the migration of nitrate nitrogen to the root surface mainly depended on mass flow, there was enrichment phenomenon near the root, ammonium nitrogen mainly through diffusion, resulting in deficiency and loss in the near rhizosphere, and the leaching loss of nitrate nitrogen was affected by soil water and root growth. (2) The thickness, composition and decomposition rate of litter were different due to different canopy density, which affected the content of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen in forest soil. (3) Although the change of different regions in this region was spatially different, keeping the stand cover in the middle and high range of 0.75-0.8 can be conducive to maintaining the balance between the consumption of soil nutrients by the stand and the supplement of nutrient consumption, which can also be conducive to the sustainable recovery and growth of the stand in this region.

Folate and synthetic folic acid content in Canadian fortified foods two decades after mandatory fortification.

In 1998, Health Canada mandated folic acid fortification of white flour and enriched grain products to prevent neural tube defects. At the time, neither the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF) nor product labels reflected the actual folate content of foods. We aimed to assess if 20 years post-fortification, the CNF values for total folate and synthetic folic acid accurately reflect amounts determined by direct analysis. Using the 2001 Food Expenditure Survey and ACNielsen Company data, we identified 10-15 of the most purchased fortified foods across seven food categories in Canada. Total folate concentrations were determined by tri-enzyme digestion and microbial assay. Folic acid concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Except for "cooked pastas", mean total folate content of foods (n=89) were significantly higher than CNF values across categories (p<0.05), reflecting 167% ± 54% of CNF values. Similarly, mean folic acid content of foods was higher than CNF values for all categories except "cooked pastas" (p<0.05), with a mean of 188% ± 94% of CNF values; the latter CNF values included uncooked pasta. In sum, 20 years post-fortification, and 10 years since the last direct measurement, CNF and product label values still underestimate actual total folate and the folic acid content of foods. These findings emphasize that dietary estimates established using the CNF may significantly underestimate actual intakes and thus caution should be exercised when interpreting estimates of nutritional adequacy based on these values.

PSI-3 Effect of feed and water consumption patterns during the lactation period on wean-to-estrus interval in weaned sows

Abstract There is sufficient evidence that adequate feed and water consumption during the lactation period positively influences sow body condition at weaning. Optimum body condition score after the lactation period decreases sow wean-to-estrus interval and non-productive sow days and promotes sow reproductive performance in the following reproductive cycle, in general. However, feed and water intake patterns have not been extensively studied in commercial sow research; thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed and water consumption patterns in the lactation period on wean-to-estrus interval in weaned sows. This trial was conducted in a commercial sow farm located in southwestern Minnesota in March 2023. Each lactation feeder was outfitted with a MealMeter 2.0 device (PigEasy, LLC, Templeton, IA), which uses a rotating feed dispenser to release feed ad libitum at the request of each sow. In addition, the MealMeter 2.0 device utilizes sensors to track the number of times feed and water were accessed at 15-min time intervals across the entire lactation period. Average daily feed (ADF) and water accessions (ADW) were summarized for each sow during the lactation period (n = 84 sows). Root mean squared error (RMSEF and RMSEW for feed and water accessions, respectively) was calculated from the residuals of the regression between days post-farrowing and ADF and ADW for each sow and was considered a measure of variation in feed and water accessions during the lactation period. Moreover, the number of days from weaning to the first estrus was recorded and defined as the wean-to-estrus interval (WTE). Due to the distribution of WTE, sows with a WTE ≤ 5 d and WTE &amp;gt; 5 d were separated into a binary classifier (0 = WTE ≤ 5 d and 1 = WTE &amp;gt; 5 d). The relationship between each feed and water measurement and WTE class was estimated using a logistic regression model fit with R Statistical Software. Average daily feed and water accessions were negatively associated with WTE class (P- = 0.07 and 0.04, respectively; Table 1), indicating that as feed and water accessions increase, the probability of observing a WTE greater than 5 d decreases. In addition, RMSEF and RMSEW were also negatively associated with WTE class, which suggests that as the variation in each measure across the lactation period increases, the probability of observing a WTE greater than 5 d is reduced. This result was not expected and, thus, requires further investigation. Nonetheless, results from this study suggest that the mean and variation of daily feed and water accessions are associated with WTE and sufficient consumption of nutrients during the lactation period is critical to reducing the number of days to first estrus in weaned sows.

Racial diversity, child stunting and underweight: Policies design and promotion in South Africa

We examine the effect of racial diversity on child stunting and underweight in post-apartheid South Africa, which has a strong history of systemic racial segregation. Using five waves of longitudinal data from the National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS), and employing instrumental variable and propensity score matching methods, we find that racial diversity significantly reduces child stunting and underweight. This result is consistent across alternative measures of racial diversity, child stunting and underweight, and is also robust to different endogeneity-correction methods. The negative effect of racial diversity on child stunting and underweight is more pronounced among children under 5 years of age. Further analyses highlight increased employment opportunities, food expenditure per capita and financial inclusion as important channels through which racial diversity decreases stunting and underweight. We discuss the policy implications of these findings.

Exploring the instability in the food security due to nitrogen fertilizer regulatory policy

AbstractThe nitrogen regulatory policy (NRP) solution is introduced as a mitigation measure against environmental nitrogen losses and keeps food production in the Safe Operating Space of the Nitrogen Planetary Boundary. Meanwhile, scientific research shows that steps taken to reduce environmental harm can increase the unpredictability of calorie production from crops. This study sought to investigate the impact of NRP solutions on the level of risk of accessibility to calorie sources from domestic production, the variations in calorie sources by livestock and non‐livestock diet components, and the responses of different dietary preferences, namely, poor, medium, and rich livestock protein diets, against NRP solutions in the Zayandeh‐Rud River basin, Iran. We developed the aggregate household food security index (AHFSI) and combined it with outputs of crop simulation model to examine how changes in dietary energy supplies under three NRP scenarios—low, moderate, and high nitrogen fertilizer application—affect the stability of three regional dietary preferences. The comparison of NRP scenarios movements realized that increases (or decreases) in nitrogen fertilizer rates contradicted the stability in AHFSI. Additionally, a one‐unit change in the average calories from non‐livestock sources, such as wheat and potatoes, results in greater fluctuations in the standard deviations of produced calories compared to changes in meat and dairy production. We proposed that in order to prevent adverse effects of NRP solutions on food security, mitigation strategies addressing the NRP solution should be structured based on (i) regional heterogeneities, (ii) type of crops, that is, food and feed crops, (iii) the range of nitrogen rates movement; (iv) and the socioeconomic background related to dietary preferences or economic deciles of food expenditure.

Differences in metabolism among Saccharomyces species and their hybrids during wine fermentation.

This study aimed to investigate how parental genomes contribute to yeast hybrid metabolism using a metabolomic approach. Previous studies have explored central carbon and nitrogen metabolism in Saccharomyces species during wine fermentation, but this study analyses the metabolomes of Saccharomyces hybrids for the first time. We evaluated the oenological performance and intra- and extracellular metabolomes, and we compared the strains according to nutrient consumption and production of the main fermentative by-products. Surprisingly, no common pattern was observed for hybrid genome influence; each strain behaved differently during wine fermentation. However, this study suggests that the genome of the S. cerevisiae species may play a more relevant role in fermentative metabolism. Variations in biomass/nitrogen ratios were also noted, potentially linked to S. kudriavzevii and S. uvarum genome contributions. These results open up possibilities for further research using different "omics" approaches to comprehend better metabolic regulation in hybrid strains with genomes from different species.

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Moringa And Spinach Leaf Capsules In Increasing Hemoglobin Levels Among Anemic Pregnant Women In The Third

Background Data from the Bandar Lampung City Health Office in 2022 shows the proportion of anemia in pregnant women is 37.25%, namely pregnant women with Hemoglobin levels &lt; 8 gr%/dl is 2.41%, Hb is 8-11gr%/dl is 36.3%. Anemia occurs in pregnant women due to insufficient production of red blood cells by the consumption of nutrients, especially iron. Iron can be obtained by consuming Moringa leaves. Another vegetable that is believed to contain a lot of iron is spinach, especially green spinach. The Purpose of the study was to find out the comparison of the effectiveness of moringa and spinach leaf capsules in increasing Hb levels in third trimester pregnant women with anemia in the Working Area of the Panjang Community Health Center, Bandar Lampung City, in 2023.Methods This study uses a type of quantitative research, with a quasi-experimental design. The population in this study were all pregnant women with their third trimester of gestation who made ANC visits at the Panjang Community Health Center in Bandar Lampung City and experienced anemia with a total of 47 people. A sample of 36 respondents. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire sheet and the data analysis used is the independent t-test.The results showed that the average hemoglobin level in third trimester pregnant women before consuming moringa leaf capsules was 10.46 gr/dl, and in the spinach leaf group was 10.37 gr/dl. The average hemoglobin level in third trimester pregnant women after consuming moringa leaf capsules was 11.87 gr/dl, and in the spinach leaf group was 11.24 gr/dl. Conclusion There is a difference in the effectiveness of moringa and spinach leaf capsules in increasing Hb levels in TM III pregnant women with anemia in the Working Area of the Panjang Community Health Center, Bandar Lampung City, 2023 (p value 0.000). Suggestion It is hoped that health workers can optimize counseling regarding the consumption of moringa leaf capsules to increase hemoglobin levels in third trimester pregnant women with anemia. Keywords: Moringa leaf capsules, spinach leaves, Hb levels

Hotel employees’ intention not to waste food: The role of environmental concern

Drawing on the theory of planned behavior, the current research examined the effect of moral norms and injunctive norms on hotel employees’ intention not to waste food. Besides, the moderating role of environmental concern was also investigated. Data were collected from 586 food and beverage employees in Egyptian hotels, by quantile regression, which allows us to obtain results for the median individual and for those who are wasteful (below the median). The results show that developing moral and injunctive norms is helpful in reducing food expenditure in the median employee (q = 0.5). However, if the focus is on the most wasteful employee (q < 0.3), the way to reverse this behavior is to develop norms more related to what an employee should or should not do in relation to food waste (injunctive norms) and less related to the feeling of guilt (moral norms). In addition, general environmental concern increases the positive effect of injunctive norms on the intention not to waste food for the wasteful employees, which was not the case for the median employee. These results help to orient information and training policies for employees to reduce food waste in the hotel industry and, from a theoretical point of view, a novel analysis is carried out by comparing employees with different intentions to behave responsibly.

MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING FOR AN OPTIMISED FISH FEED FORMULATION: TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE RED HYBRID TILAPIA FARMING

Common issues raised in the fish industry are the highly-priced feed production and the sustainability of its ingredients. These issues have also directly impacted the majority of local farmers. Aiming for long-term viability, controlling the feed price is therefore crucial. The selection of ingredients plays an important role in optimising the price of feed. This research, therefore, aims to introduce potential fish feed that optimises the production cost while maintaining the nutrient consumption of the intended species. The feed is formulated using a mathematical model that considers all essential requirements. In this research, the feed formulation was mainly focused on the red hybrid tilapia. Least-cost feed formulations were set out for two main life-cycle stages, juvenile and adult stages, specifying levels of three critical limits: Nutrient requirements of the fish (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and fibre), cost and nutrient composition of nine commonly used ingredients. AIMMS mathematical software was used to assist the computation to optimality, reducing the cost significantly while providing complete and sufficient nutrients for the fish. From analysing previous research to obtaining advice from experts and demands from industry, 10 different mathematical models were constructed as options to produce potential fish feeds at minimal costs. These models produce feeds that cost less than the commercial pellets available up to 38%. The feed formulation promises cheaper feed and could benefit the industry, indirectly supporting the small-scale local farmers. A thorough discussion of the use of the mathematical model in relation to producing an optimised feed formulation and some managerial insights are included in this research with elaborations on utilising the results to future research opportunities.

Analyzing the Impact of Dissolved Organic Components on River Water Quality and Its Implications for Human Health: A Case Study from Banjar District

Introduction: Environmental contamination, especially water quality, is a global issue. The association between river water quality and human health is explored in Banjar Regency, rich in natural resources and essential rivers, utilizing dissolved organic components concentration as an indicator. Methods: A mixed-methods study in Banjar District, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, examined the impact of river water quality on human health, using dissolved forganic components as a primary indicator. Water quality assessments, nutrient content measurements, consumption surveys, and water-related disease epidemiology provided data. The statistical studies revealed key correlations and patterns. Results and Discussion: Water quality metrics varied among sampling locations. The dissolved fish feed negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen, while nutrient content weakly correlated with gastrointestinal disorders. High water temperatures increased respiratory illnesses. Drinking water from sources with high dissolved fish feed content caused digestive and respiratory problems. The study confirms previous research linking water quality parameters to health effects. The complex relationship between water quality and health is location-dependent, illustrating how environmental factors, especially water quality, shape illness trends. Conclusion: The study illuminates the complex links between river water quality, human health, and water usage in Banjar District. Dissolved fish feed content affects digestive and respiratory disorders, emphasizing the need of water quality management for regional health. These findings guide Banjar District water resource management and public health measures and help solve worldwide environmental pollution issues.

Socio‑Economic Drivers of Food Security Among Rural Households: Evidence From Smallholder Rice Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Nigeria has been facing a food crisis problem, with most of the poor population having limited access to adequate quantity and quality food. Food security reflects the stability of food supply, availability of, and access to food, and affects the amount of food consumed with implications on the population’s health. Thus, this study examined the socio-economic drivers of food security among smallholder rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Primary data was collected under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish (Integrated rice-fish farming system) funded by USAID through a three-stage sampling technique. Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) and the Endogenous Switching Regression model were applied in the data analysis. The mean per capita household food expenditure is estimated at N 1,026.43; the food security measure shows that 46.67% of the households experience the incidence of food insecurity, 24.6% point is the food insecurity depth, and 17.2 % point is the severity of food insecurity. The ESR model shows that the drivers of food security are access to credit, marital status, farming experience, primary occupation, education, and farm size. The study proposed implementing more programmes that focus on poverty alleviation, which should be gender inclusive with credit support.

Faktor-Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Status Gizi Anak Balita di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Sikumana

Nutritional status is a picture of the balance of nutrient intake that enters the body with what the body needs. Toddlers are an important age group in the growth and development of children physically and mentally. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the nutritional status of toddlers in the Sikumana Health Center working area. This study used a cross-sectional study approach. The sample consisted of 94 toddlers with a simple random sampling technique. Research data collection using questionnaires. The data obtained were analyzed using the Rank Spearman correlation test with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results of the study according to the WHZ, indicate that there is a significant relationship between energy intake (p=0.000) protein intake (p=0.000) household food expenditure (p=0.001) maternal nutritional knowledge (p=0.003) maternal education (p=0.019) maternal employment (p=0.003) exclusive breastfeeding history (p = 0.036) history of infectious diseases (p = 0.000). The results of the study according to the WAZ, shows that there is a relationship between energy intake (p=0.000) protein intake (p=0.001) household food expenditure (p=0.002) maternal nutritional knowledge (p=0.001) the history of exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.019) and the history of infectious diseases (p=0.002). In this study, maternal education (p=0.909) and maternal employment (p=0.076) were not related to the nutritional status of toddlers. There is a need to increase counseling activities on nutrition awareness to increase community knowledge, especially mothers. So that mothers can pay attention to the nutritional aspects that toddlers will receive to meet their body's needs.

Oceanographic factors determining the distribution of nutrients and primary production in the subpolar Southern Ocean

To investigate the spatial distributions and determinants of nutrient concentrations, we measured NO3−+NO2−, PO43−, and Si(OH)4 concentrations in the eastern Indian Ocean sector of the Antarctic Ocean (80 − 150°E, south of 60°S) between December 2018 and February 2019. In the region influenced by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, nutrient concentrations were increased by nutrients supplied from the deep layer and by organic matter decomposition and remineralization within the seasonal pycnocline after the development of strong stratification. Strong stratification also enhanced phytoplankton growth and nutrient consumption by photosynthesis. In contrast, in the subpolar region, nutrient concentrations were increased by nutrients supplied by brine discharged during sea ice formation and decreased by dilution with sea ice meltwater. Although high salinity in the surface and subsurface layers corresponded well to upwelling areas around subpolar subgyres, high salinity was not necessarily correlated with nutrient concentrations. We estimated primary production both from in situ nutrient data and from satellite-acquired chlorophyll-a data. According to both estimation methods, primary production was high in the subpolar region, especially around 120 − 130°E. However, nutrient-based estimation also showed high production in coastal areas where, because of sea ice and cloud cover, estimation based on satellite data was not possible. To understand primary production in seasonal ice areas, the best estimation method should be selected for the research goals or multiple methods should be used in combination.

Utilization of nutrition information on food labels by diabetic mellitus and hypertensive patients attending clinic at Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

The aim of food labels is to inform consumers on the food content. The information conveyed on food labels has evolved over time thus the objectives of food labelling have become numerous. Despite the recognized association of food labels utilization and disease management, the current global mortality rate from diabetes mellitus and hypertension remains high. In order for the prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus and hypertension to reduce, population-wide interventions including the promotion of healthy diets through the provision of adequate information on food labels should be done. This study aimed at assessing utilization of nutrition information on food labels by diabetic mellitus and hypertensive patients. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in March and April 2022 at Kakamega County Teaching and Referral hospital, Kenya. Data was collected from respondents using a structured questionnaire administered to 125 randomly selected respondents and the response rate was 80%. Socio- demographic characteristics of the study participants were determined using descriptive statistics for distribution. Association between the study variables was determined using Chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at p&lt;0.05. The analyzed data was presented by use of frequency tables, graphs and pie charts. About 46% of the respondents were aged &gt;60years. About 73% were married and about 40% reported to have completed primary education level. About 39 % were self-employed earning less than Ksh. 5,000 (50 USD) per month. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Kakamega were at 4.6% and 29.4% respectively. Age (p= 0.028), Education (p= 0.001), Job/employment (p=0.0010), Monthly income (p=0.001) and Monthly household food expenditure (p=0.007) significantly influenced utilization of food labels. About 64% (n=64) reported to be knowing what food labels are and about 34% (n=34) reported not knowing what they are. About 46.8% (n=30) of those who reported they read the labels participants reported that they read nutrition information every time they purchased the product, 37.5% (n=24) read the information the first time they purchased the product and 15.7% (n=10) read nutrition information on food labels at other different times. Food prices, nutrition information on the food label, health and nutrition status and fat/sodium/sugar content were among the factors that had a high influence on utilization of food labels. This study recommends nutrition education to the general population on benefits of reading nutrition information on food labels in order to make healthful food choices in order to reduce the prevalence of these chronic diseases. Key words: Food labels, Utilization, Nutrition, Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, Kakamega

Coping strategies of food insecure households with children and adolescents in Uruguay, a high-income Latin American country: A qualitative study through the lens of Bourdieu's theories of capitals and practice

Food insecurity has been associated with negative short, medium, and long-term health consequences, which are more detrimental for children and adolescents. These effects may depend on the coping strategies developed to deal with food shortages. The present research aimed at exploring coping strategies in food insecure households with children and adolescents in Uruguay, incorporating sociological theoretical insights from Bourdieu. A qualitative approach based on individual semi-structured interviews was used. A total of 40 interviews were conducted with adults who had parental responsibilities of children and adolescents and who received different types of food assistance, between July and December 2022, in four cities. Results showed that adults tend to develop a wide range of coping strategies aimed at: reducing food expenditure, increasing the availability of money for purchasing food, increasing food availability and/or rationing the food available in the household. Some of the strategies were implemented regardless of the severity of food insecurity, whereas others were characteristic of the moderate and severe levels of the construct. Evidence to support the mediation effect of coping strategies on health outcomes was found. Discourses suggested that lower accumulation of economic and cultural capital may be aligned with the adoption of less socially accepted mechanisms to access to food. Expressions of a specific habitus aimed at securing food were identified among participants with more deprivations. Taken together, the findings suggest that coping strategies may not be a universal or invariant sequence according to the severity of food insecurity and stress the importance of considering households’ resources and local context for the development of strategies to improve access to food.

Interplay of Status Perception, Visible Inequality, Conspicuous Consumption, and Food Expenditure: Evidence from Consumer Pyramid Household Survey of Indian Households*

This study delves into the intricate interplay between visible inequality, conspicuous consumption, and food consumption in Indian households. Leveraging data from the Consumer Pyramids Household Survey (CPHS) provides significant insights. Through empirical analyses, including panel data analysis and instrumental variable panel data analysis, this study supports the hypothesis that there exists a relationship between visible inequality and conspicuous consumption among Indian households. The positive coefficients linked to conspicuous consumption variability reinforce established theories concerning the impact of status perception on spending behaviour. This study reveals a noteworthy adverse effect of visible inequality on essential expenditures, particularly food consumption, highlighting the delicate balancing act that households navigate between status‐driven spending and meeting fundamental needs. By employing instrumental variable regression models to address endogeneity concerns, this study robustly confirms the relationship between visible inequality and conspicuous consumption. This study emphasises the nuanced relationship between status‐oriented spending, visible inequality, and essential expenses in Indian households.

Investigation into Behavioral Change Patterns of Dine-In at Restaurant, Food Delivery, and Food Take-Out Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study in South Korea

This paper examines behavioral change patterns of food consumption through three channels—dine-in at restaurant, food delivery, and food take-out—during and after the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The unique feature of the behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic that set them apart from those during previous pandemics was the rise of online shopping. Thus, it is important to understand the new consumer behaviors for the three food consumption channels over time (before, during, and after the pandemic), for example, how they were affected by the pandemic, what dominant change patterns were, and how the intertwined relationship between the channels evolved. This study develops a latent class model using survey data collected by the Korea Rural Economic Institute in 2021 to jointly investigate the behavioral change patterns of dine-in at restaurant, food delivery, and food take-out. The results showed that there existed six latent groups, namely, 1) “status quo maintainers,” 2) “dine-in minimizers,” 3) “mild online adopters,” 4) “temporary shifters,” 5) “food expenditure cutters,” and 6) “strong online adopters.” The results highlighted that the behavioral change pattern varied by the persistence of the changes and the consumption channel choice. The socio-economic and demographic characteristics of each group were also discussed.

Effects of Tamarind Seed on the Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Porcine

Pig livestock feed generally competes with human needs; therefore, alternative feed is needed in the form of tamarind seeds, which contain nutrients but are also antinutrients. The technology required was to use fermented liquid feed. This study aimed to examine the effects of tamarind seeds on the nutrient digestibility growth performance of pigs. The study used a randomized blocked design (RBD) with 4 treatments and replications. In the present study, R0 = fermented liquid feed (FLF) without tamarind seeds (TS), R10 = FLF with 10% TS, R20 = FLF with 20% TS, and R30 = FLF with 30% TS. The analyzed data were subjected to analysis of variance and Duncan's test. The research variables were nutrient consumption and nutrient digestive rations. The results showed that increasing the percentage of TS in FLF had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on nutrient consumption or crude fat digestibility in Landrace crossed pigs but had a very significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, nitrogen-free extracts, crude fat, crude fiber, and ash. The conclusion is that tamarind seeds could be used in fermented liquid feed up to 30%, but it is better to use 20% to increase the nutrient digestibility of pigs. Further research regarding its use to determine the performance of carcass production is recommended

Peptide Transporter 1-Mediated Dipeptide Transport Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Activating MAP4K4/G3BP2 Signaling Axis.

Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To meet the rapid malignant growth and transformation, tumor cells dramatically increase the consumption of nutrients, such as amino acids. Peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1), a key transporter for small peptides, has been found to be an effective and energy-saving intracellular source of amino acids that are required for the growth of tumor cells. Here, the role of PEPT1 in HCC metastasis and its underlying mechanisms is explored. PEPT1 is upregulated in HCC cells and tissues, and high PEPT1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC. PEPT1 overexpression dramatically promoted HCC cell migration, invasion, and lung metastasis, whereas its knockdown abolished these effects both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic analysis revealed that high PEPT1 expression increased cellular dipeptides in HCC cells that are responsible for activating the MAP4K4/G3BP2 signaling pathway, ultimately facilitating the phosphorylation of G3BP2 at Thr227 and enhancing HCC metastasis. Taken together, these findings suggest that PEPT1 acts as an oncogene in promoting HCC metastasis through dipeptide-induced MAP4K4/G3BP2 signaling and that the PEPT1/MAP4K4/G3BP2 axis can serve as a promising therapeutic target for metastatic HCC.

Assessing the Contribution of Smallholder Irrigation to Household Food Security in Zimbabwe

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 seeks to end hunger and guarantee food and nutrition security worldwide by 2030. Smallholder irrigation development remains a key strategy to achieve SDG 2. This study assesses how smallholder irrigation contributes to household food security in Mberengwa district, Zimbabwe. Primary data were gathered from a randomly chosen sample of 444 farmers (344 irrigators and 100 non-irrigators) using a structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 software packages were used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test, and binary logistic regression were performed. The t-test results show significant differences in mean between irrigators and non-irrigators for household size, the dependency ratio, farming experience, farm income, food expenditure share, and livestock owned (p &lt; 0.05). Irrigators had significantly higher area planted, yield, and quantity sold for maize during the summer than non-irrigators (p &lt; 0.05). Food Consumption Score results show that 97% of irrigators and 45% of non-irrigators were food secure. Binary logistic regression results reveal a significant association between food security and household size, irrigation access, and farm income (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, access to smallholder irrigation increases household food security. The government and its development partners should prioritise investments in smallholder irrigation development, expansion, and rehabilitation.