Neural mechanisms that create action sequences are not well understood, particularly when feedforward excitation will not suffice. This is likely to be the case when one behavior is often but not always followed by another. This report studies transitions between ingestion and digestion in the mollusc Aplysia. Previous studies demonstrated that ingestive responses are triggered by higher order projection neurons, the cerebral buccal interneurons (CBIs). Here we record from intact animals and show that CBI activity declines as food moves through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In addition to input from the CBIs, the feeding circuitry also receives excitatory input from GI afferents. We show that GI afferent input is responsible for triggering post-CBI motor programs. When the CBIs are active, they release peptides that produce a persistent increase in the excitability of B63, a neuron that is part of the feeding central pattern generator (CPG). Our data strongly suggest that this increased excitability facilitates afferent induced motor program induction. To summarize, our data suggest that the initial food intake results from CBI activity. While the CBIs are active, they release peptides that increase the likelihood that subsequent motor activity will follow. The induction of this activity is however conditional, i.e., it requires afferent feedback. We suggest that this arrangement is advantageous because it permits flexibility. Digestion will follow ingestion but only if food has been successfully pulled into the buccal cavity. If ingestion fails, presumably a different type of motor activity will be triggered.

Introduction: Post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (post- molar GTN) is a rare condition with high cure rates. However, the chemotherapeutic drug used for treatment can cause various side effects. Nutritional status, food intake, and physical activity can help reduce these effects. Therefore, this case reports aimed to evaluate the type of treatment, nutritional status, food intake, and physical activity, considering the scarcity of studies addressing these variables in patients with post-molar GTN. Case reports: Three women diagnosed with post- molar GTN between January 2023 and June 2024 were admitted to the oncology department of Hospital das Clínicas to begin chemotherapy. Data collection was performed before the therapy started (methotrexate and leucovorin administered every other day with a week-long rest interval). According to the nutritional status assessment, the patients were classified as overweight and obese, showing very high body fat percentage and low lean mass. Energy intake was above the recommended levels, while lipid and protein consumption was adequate, and carbohydrate intake was reduced. Regarding physical activity level, only one patient was classified as active. Conclusion: The patients’ nutritional status was characterized by overweight and obesity, elevated body fat, low muscle mass, caloric intake exceeding recommendations, adequate lipid and protein consumption, and reduced carbohydrate intake, in addition to physical inactivity.

Objective Nutrition literacy is critical for establishing healthy dietary behaviors during childhood, yet research on this topic among primary school students in rapidly urbanizing China remains limited. The aim of this large-scale survey is to assess the current status and identify key influencing factors of nutrition literacy among primary school students in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2024 utilizing a cluster random sampling method. A total of 2,423 students from 21 public primary schools participated. Data were collected using the validated “Nutrition Literacy and Dietary Behavior Questionnaire for School-aged Children”, which evaluated four dimensions: nutrition knowledge and concepts, food selection, food preparation, and food intake. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression. Results Participants achieved a mean total nutrition literacy score of 69.93 ± 8.75, with 30.38% meeting the criterion for adequate nutrition literacy (score ≥75). Interdimensional analysis revealed statistically significant positive correlations among all four domains ( r = 0.198 ~ 0.363, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression identified grade level—representing individual-level factors (Grade 5 vs. Grade 3 OR = 0.626, 95% CI: 0.500–0.783), high household economic status—family-level factors (OR = 1.389, 95% CI: 1.139–1.649), and participation in school activities including nutrition-related activities (OR = 1.346, 95% CI: 1.125–1.611) and regular weight monitoring (OR = 1.346, 95% CI: 1.125–1.611) as key predictors of adequate nutrition literacy. Conclusion Nutrition literacy among primary school students in Nanshan District requires substantial improvement and is influenced by factors at individual, familial, and institutional levels. These findings suggest the necessity of developing a comprehensive, student-centered intervention model that integrates family-school collaboration to effectively enhance nutritional literacy.

Although the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been shown to increase the risk of many diet-related chronic diseases, its potential association with fracture risk remains unexplored in Chinese adults. This study used data from a cohort of 13,194 adults who participated at least twice of the China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS) between 1997 and 2011 (six waves in total), during which information on fractures was collected. Dietary intake was assessed at each survey using a 3-day 24-hour dietary recall method. UPF consumption was calculated as the total intake of foods classified as NOVA group 4. Fracture was self-reported at each survey. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models, accounting for repeated measures, were used to assess the association, adjusting for covariates including sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health, behavioural, and dietary factors. Mean per capita UPF consumption increased from 11.3g in 1997 to 41.5g in 2011. The total number of participants reported having fracture was 1,471 with 1,057 reported incident fractures during the follow-up. The prevalence of fracture was 2.6% in 1997 and 5.3% in 2011. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for fracture for those with mean UPF consumption of 1-49g/day, 50-99g/day, and ≥ 100g/day were 1.45 (1.25-1.69), 1.62 (1.28-2.04), and 1.66 (1.22-2.24), respectively, compared with non-consumers (p for trend < 0.001). There was significant interaction between UPF and residence with the positive association being significant in rural areas but not in urban areas. Higher UPF consumption was associated with increased risk of fractures, especially in rural areas. Dietary guidelines should integrate this evidence to address the evolving food environment in China and its potential impact on musculoskeletal health.

Background/Objectives: Empirical evidence on intergenerational commensality in institutional care settings remains scarce. This pilot and feasibility study evaluated the preliminary impact of an innovative intergenerational mealtime model on older adults’ subjective well-being, self-esteem, perceived health, and food consumption in an adult day care setting. Methods: A 16-week wait-list randomised controlled pilot trial with a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was conducted in an intergenerational centre in southern Spain. Twenty-two older adults who reside in a community living setting and attend a day care service were randomly assigned to two intergenerational dining intervention/waiting-list groups or a control group. Participants in the intervention/waiting-list groups had lunch four times per week with children 2–3 years of age, following a structured protocol. The quantitative outcomes examined included subjective well-being (WHO-5 Well-Being Index), self-esteem (Rosenberg scale), perceived health (EuroQol EQ-5D), and objective assessment of plate leftovers using photographic records and the Comstock visual estimation method. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observation. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06996418). Results: Across the study period, intervention, waiting-list, and control groups showed preliminary improvements in subjective well-being and self-esteem, but with no significant group-by-time interaction. In contrast, mixed-effects models revealed an encouraging significant reduction in plate leftovers among older adults during intergenerational meals, particularly in second courses. The reduction was consolidated during the post-intervention follow-up. Qualitative findings showed perceived improvements in emotional well-being, motivation, and appetite, thus highlighting potential relational and affective mechanisms underlying changes in eating behaviour. Conclusions: This pilot study shows promise for intergenerational commensality in adult day care settings and provides preliminary evidence of its potential to promote well-being and self-esteem and reduce food waste among older adults. Larger, multi-centre, appropriately powered trials are warranted to validate these findings.

Endurance performance exhibits time-of-day variation in both humans and rodents, peaking in the late active-phase. However, whether the timing of endurance training influences performance adaptations remains unclear. To investigate, female mice were trained 5-d/week for 6-weeks at either ZT13 or ZT22, using treadmill running at 70% of each animal's maximal capacity. Endurance performance was assessed at baseline, week-3, and week-6. Secondary outcomes included blood glucose and lactate, cage activity, body composition, liver and skeletal muscle glycogen content, mitochondrial and contractile protein expression. At baseline, late-active phase (ZT22)-tested mice exhibited significantly higher endurance capacity than early-active phase (ZT13)-tested mice (P<0.05). Following 6 weeks of training, ZT13-trained mice demonstrated a greater rate of improvement, with endurance increasing by 132% (P<0.05), compared to 45% in afternoon ZT22-trained mice. By week 6, performance improved but was similar between groups (P>0.05), despite lower absolute training volumes in the ZT13 group. Both training groups reduced fat-mass (ZT13: -31%,ZT22: -32%; P<0.05 vs. control), with no differences in lean mass, food intake or muscle and liver glycogen content (P>0.05). In skeletal muscle, ZT13-trained mice were associated with increased (P<0.05) COXIV protein expression, citrate synthase activity, and shifts in MyHC isoform expression, without changes (P>0.05) in mitochondrial content. ZT13-training elicited superior performance adaptations despite lower absolute workloads, indicating enhanced training efficiency. These findings identify exercise timing as a biologically relevant factor influencing endurance adaptation and variability in exercise responses.

Contribution of Meals and Snacks Provided through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) on Young Children's Total Dietary Intake.

In healthcare, the terms 'fasting' or 'nil by mouth' usually refer to a patient who is not allowed to have any form of food, drink or medicines orally for a specific time. Fasting is a contentious issue in perioperative care, and differing guidelines in this practice can cause confusion and pose unnecessary risks to patients. Prolonged fasting may lead to discomfort and increased risk of surgical complications, while studies have shown that shorter fasting periods can enhance patient outcomes. Evidence supports allowing patients to have sips of clear fluids preoperatively, as demonstrated by the SipTilSend protocol, which may reduce fasting times without increasing the risk of complications. This article explores and promotes evidence-based fasting protocols that could improve perioperative care and enhance the patient experience.

Atrazine exposure during puberty causes long-lasting neurochemical alterations and sex-dependent sexual behavior deficits in rats.

The roles of nesfatin-1 in the lateral parabrachial nucleus on feeding and glucose metabolism in type 1 diabetic rats.

Preliminary safety evaluation of a diphtheria, tetanus, acellular component pertussis, Sabin inactivated poliovirus and Haemophilus influenzae type b combination vaccine (DTacP-sIPV/Hib).

The impact of energy-dense food consumption on brain responses to alcohol rewards.

Positive Childhood Experiences, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Diet in Early Adolescents.

Effects of okadaic acid and phytoplankton ingestion on nr1j1, cyp, and abcb1 gene expression in Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists improve glycemic control and promote weight loss in diabetes and obesity but are also associated with gastrointestinal adverse events, including nausea and emesis in many patients. These concerns highlight the need for the development of novel GLP-1R agonists that minimize these side effects while maintaining beneficial metabolic outcomes. Here, we investigate the in vivo effects of exendin-4-Phe1 (Ex-Phe1), a GLP-1R biased agonist. In three pre-clinical species, mice (n = 43), rats (n = 54), and musk shrews (n = 30), we examined in vivo glycemic control, feeding, and nausea/emesis following native Ex-4 and Ex-Phe1 administration. We also used cFos expression following Ex-4 and Ex-Phe1 administration to examine neural activation in regions involved in mediating nausea and emetic side effects of GLP-1R agonism. In vitro studies show Ex-Phe1 favors cAMP signaling with reduced β-arrestin recruitment. Compared to Ex-4, Ex-Phe1 produced fewer emetic episodes in musk shrews (Suncus murinus) and little to no pica, a proxy for nausea, in rats. Ex-Phe1 effects on food intake and body weight varied by species, while Ex-4 and Ex-Phe1 similarly enhanced glucose tolerance in all species. Ex-4 and Ex-Phe1 increased cFos expression within brain regions linked to nausea and emesis in all species. Collectively, Ex-Phe1 maintains glycemic benefits in all three species, but putatively blunts the ability of the CNS GLP-1R+ cells to drive anorexia and weight loss, as well as unwanted adverse events (nausea/emesis) in rats and musk shrews.

Erucic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid consumption affect hepatic steatosis in mice fed a western diet.

Energy metabolism, nutrition and cancer.

Ectopic, hepatic GLP-1R agonism enhances the weight loss efficacy of GLP-1 analogues.

Timing of Energy Intake and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Are Associated With Obesity in Adults in the United Kingdom: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2019).

Maternal carbohydrate-programming enhances carbohydrate utilization in zebrafish offspring by histone H3K9 methylation.