A novel MEREC-MULTIMOOSRAL MADA framework for the strategic selection of edible oils: an optimization model for health sustainability.

Effects of the foliar application of selenite at different growth stages on selenium transformation, silage quality and the metabolome of tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.).

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Nutritional counseling is a key component of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) but often faces challenges in patients' adherence, particularly in low-resource settings. To evaluate the adherence to nutritional recommendations among patients enrolled in a CR program and to assess the impact of individualized nutritional counseling on dietary intake. Randomized controlled clinical trial. Outpatient CR clinic at the Hospital das clinicas of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. A total of 98 adults (mean age 60.4 ± 10.9 y; 57.1% male) with diagnosed cardiovascular conditions referred to CR randomly assigned to intervention (n = 46) or control (n = 52) groups. The intervention group received individualized dietary plans and monthly nutritional counseling over 4 mo, while the control group received standard care without nutritional guidance during the study period. The primary outcome was the adherence to nutritional recommendations based on analysis of 3-d dietary records (caloric intake, macronutrients, sodium, fiber). Adherence was defined as meeting or improving toward dietary recommendations. At baseline, sodium intake showed the highest adherence (89.8%), and fiber intake the lowest (8.2%). After 4 mo, the intervention group had a significant increase in protein intake (P < 0.05) and a 27.5% higher adherence to protein recommendations compared to the control group (P = 0.008). No significant differences were observed for other nutrients. Individualized nutritional counseling within CR programs improves adherence to dietary protein recommendations, emphasizing its importance in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Integrating structured nutritional strategies into CR may enhance clinical outcomes and support comprehensive care.

Evaluation of oxidant stress markers in a population involved in a health care program.

Healthful eating habits (i.e., increased fruit and vegetable and decreased hyperpalatable energy-dense food and drink consumption) are important for preventing chronic disease risk (e.g., obesity) and improving overall health in Black adolescents.This study examines the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors associated with daily dietary intake in Black adolescents with overweight and obesity. Baseline data were analyzed from 241 Black parent-adolescent dyads who participated in the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial (Adolescent: Mage = 12.8 years, SD = 1.8; 63% female; MBMI% = 96.6, SD = 4.3). Intrapersonal factors included dietary motivation. Interpersonal factors included social support for diet from family. Environmental factors included access to food in the home. Dietary outcomes were measured using validated adolescent self-reported surveys. Separate multiple linear regressions revealed several associations between ecological factors and daily food intake. Greater access to more-healthful foods was associated with increased daily vegetable intake (β = 0.18, SE = 0.08, p < .05), whereas greater access to less-healthful foods was associated with increased daily fruit intake (β = 0.24, SE = 0.08, p < .05). Greater access to less-healthful foods was associated with increased daily energy-dense food intake (β = 0.75, SE = 0.10, p < .001), whereas increased self-reported dietary motivation was associated with decreased daily energy-dense food intake (β = -0.24, SE = 0.10, p < .05). Greater access to less-healthful foods (β = 1.48, SE = 0.23, p < .001) and higher adolescent BMI (β = 0.84, SE = 0.40, p < .05) was also associated with increased sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. These findings suggest that access to more-healthful foods is associated with greater vegetable intake, while restricting access to less-healthful foods and increased motivation for more healthful eating were associated with lower sugar-sweetened beverage and energy-dense food consumption among Black adolescents. These findings may inform future health promotion programs across various ecological levels of dietary behaviors in Black youth with overweight and obesity.

Previous research has revealed associations between diet and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), between diet and kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites (kynurenines), and between kynurenines and HRQoL in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. We examined if kynurenines mediate longitudinal associations between diet and HRQoL in CRC survivors up to 12-months posttreatment. Repeated measurements were performed in 209 stage I-III CRC survivors. Diet was assessed by seven-day dietary records. Plasma kynurenines were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. HRQoL outcomes were assessed through the validated EORTC QLQ-C30. We used confounder-adjusted multilevel parallel-multiple mediator models with all kynurenines simultaneously and single mediator models with established KP ratios to estimate total (c:diet-HRQoL), direct (c':diet-HRQoL), metabolite-specific indirect (ab: diet-metabolite-HRQoL), and total indirect (ab:diet-metabolites-HRQoL) effects. Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with worse role functioning, while higher fiber, alcohol, and zinc intake, and better adherence to the Dutch Healthy Diet (DHD) recommendations were associated with better physical and role functioning (c-path). Associations of fiber and DHD with HRQoL remained statistically significant after controlling for all KP metabolites (c'-path). All kynurenines simultaneously only mediated associations of higher carbohydrate intake with worse role functioning, and of higher alcohol intake with better physical functioning (ab). The kynurenic acid-to-quinolinic acid (KA/QA) ratio and hydroxykynurenine ratio (HKr) significantly mediated associations of carbohydrate, protein, fat, alcohol, magnesium, and zinc intake, and adherence to DHD recommendations, with physical and role functioning (ab). In conclusion, while all kynurenines simultaneously did not mediate diet-HRQoL associations, the KA/QA ratio and HKr did mediate several associations within the first year after CRC treatment.

Date fruit is a nutrient-dense and bioactive-rich fruit that has garnered attention for its dual role in athletic performance and sustainable nutrition. Naturally abundant in readily digestible carbohydrates, dietary fiber, essential minerals, vitamins, and polyphenolic compounds, dates provide rapid and sustained energy while supporting glycogen replenishment, oxidative stress mitigation, and metabolic regulation. These functional attributes make dates an ideal candidate for incorporation into sports nutrition products, such as energy bars and functional snacks, offering an alternative to refined carbohydrate supplements and synthetic formulations. The fortification of date-based products with plant proteins, cereals, nuts, seeds, or polyphenol-rich extracts further enhances protein quality, fiber content, antioxidant potential, and micronutrient density without compromising sustainability goals. Moreover, local sourcing, farm engagement, and community-supported agriculture provide educational, cultural, and ecological benefits, fostering mindful dietary behaviors and connecting athletes to their food systems. This review synthesizes recent advances on the chemical composition, functional properties, processing methods, and health-promoting effects of dates, highlighting their strategic potential to support both performance-driven sports nutrition and environmentally responsible diets. Future research should focus on quantifying the environmental impact of date-based functional foods, optimizing formulations for athlete recovery and performance, and translating these findings into practical dietary recommendations.

Fruits and vegetables are key components of the human diet, valued for their unique textures and flavors. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated that individual transcription factors (TFs) can simultaneously regulate two biological processes; these TFs are defined as bifunctional TFs. However, systematic reviews on these bifunctional TFs in fruits and vegetables remain limited. This review systematically summarizes current knowledge on bifunctional TFs in fruits and vegetables, focusing on three themes: (i) molecular mechanisms (cis-element diversity, partner switching, posttranslational); (ii) network topology (hubs vs bottlenecks); and (iii) agronomic trade-offs. Meanwhile, the functional conservation and divergence of homologous TFs in different fruits and vegetables have also been investigated. In addition, we elaborate how key TF families, including MYB, bHLH, WRKY, ERF, and NAC, regulate diverse physiological processes in fruits and vegetables via dual mechanisms. We also identify several limitations in the existing literature, such as insufficient understanding of bifunctional regulatory mechanisms, incomplete identification of target genes, and inadequate exploration of crop applications.

Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Linked to Microbial Hazards Associated with Non-Dairy Fermented and Cultured Foods in the United States, 2011-2023.

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality, disability, and premature loss of working capacity worldwide. Nutrition is one of the major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, as dietary habits directly influence lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, endothelial function, blood pressure regulation, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Excessive intake of salt, saturated fats, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods contributes to dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. The aim of the study. To summarise current scientific evidence regarding the role of nutrients in the prevention and complex treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as well as to evaluate the potential of nutrient correction in reducing cardiovascular risk and improving patient prognosis. Materials and methods. An analytical review of current scientific publications, clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomised clinical trials was conducted. The effects of dietary patterns, macro- and micronutrients on cardiometabolic risk were analysed. Results. Adequate intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium, magnesium, dietary fibre, antioxidants, and polyphenols was associated with improved lipid profile, endothelial function, blood pressure stabilisation, and reduced inflammatory activity. The Mediterranean and DASH diets demonstrated the strongest cardioprotective effects. Conclusions. Nutrient correction is an important component of cardiovascular prevention and complex treatment. Rational nutrition should be combined with lifestyle modification, individualised dietary recommendations, and evidence-based pharmacotherapy.

Plant-derived foods are a vital component of the human diet, but they pose health risks due to the potential presence of anthraquinones (AQs) and their derivatives, and long-term intake of these substances can lead to health issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method to rapidly and simultaneously detect seven AQs, including AQ, emodin, rhein, chrysophanol, aloe emodin, alizarin, and purpurin. In this study, four haptens were designed based on the common parent nucleus structure of the seven AQs combined with computer-aided simulation analysis. MD was used to analyze the recognition mechanism between AQ mAb-4D7 and the seven AQs, revealing that key amino acid residues (TRP90, ASP99, and TYR31) in the complementarity-determining region of the antibody maintain broad-spectrum recognition of AQs through the combined effects of Pi-Pi stacking, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions. Based on AQ mAb-4D7, gold nanoparticles based on lateral flow immunoassay (GNP-LFIA) was developed for detecting the seven AQs in tea, aloe vera, and herbal drinks, with calculated limits of detection of 7.282-34.112 μg/kg, 5.536-27.338 μg/kg, and 5.025-26.319 μg/kg, respectively. In real sample detection, the method exhibited high consistency with the results of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirming the accuracy and stability of GNP-LFIA and providing a reliable technical tool for the on-site rapid screening of multiple AQs in plant-derived foods.

Patatin-like phosphatase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene and dietary fat are important factors for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We studied the impact of dietary fat quality modification on liver adiposity in men homozygotes for PNPLA3 (GG, carriers of the risk allele and CC, non-carriers). Ninety-eight men (age: 67.8 ± 4.2years, body mass index: 27.2 ± 2.5kg/m2), homozygous for PNPLA3 rs738409 variant (I148M), randomly assigned for two diet intervention arms, participated in a 12-week diet intervention. Recommended diet (RD) arm ate fat according to the National and Nordic nutrition recommendations, average diet (AD) arm ate according to the average fat intake in Finland. Liver imaging by ultrasound with 2D-shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were performed. MRI-based liver fat proportion decreased in the RD arm (CC: from 3.8 ± 3.2 to 3.2 ± 3.3%, GG: from 3.9 ± 3.3 to 3.5 ± 3.1%, p time = 0.032) and increased in the AD arm (CC: from 4.1 ± 3.6 to 4.8 ± 3.9%, GG: from 4.7 ± 3.7 to 6.7 ± 5.3%, p time = 0.015). MRS-quantified liver saturated fat content increased in the AD arm in both genotypes of PNPLA3 (p time = 0.010). Liver triglyceride concentration did not change in either arm with the CC genotype but increased in the AD arm with the GG genotype (for time and genotype interaction p = 0.027). Diet based on fat quality recommendations could be beneficial for liver health in both PNPLA3 genotypes CC and GG. The average diet seems to be especially harmful for liver health in carriers of the PNPLA3 risk genotype (GG).

The phrase "apples and oranges" is defined as comparing "things that are very different". This phrase and its meaning apply to the differences between lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity and nutrition, and obesity. Physical activity and healthy nutrition as behaviors are very different from obesity as a disease and, when obesity is considered as a "self-inflicted" condition due to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, we are incorrectly comparing "things that are very different". Conversations should begin with highlighting evidence demonstrating that adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors leads to significant health benefits irrespective of weight loss.

The nutritional quality of pork, a vital source of protein in the human diet, is being increasingly studied due to health concerns regarding pork fatty acid (FA) composition. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to identify the relationship between muscle gene expression and the composition of different FAs in pigs, focusing on the two prevalent genotypes (AA and AB) from hotspot expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) regions within the study population. This was achieved through the application of weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA) based on RNA-Seq data from 72 pigs to construct gene co-expression clusters and correlate them with the FA profile of skeletal muscle in pigs. The WGCNA was constructed using RNA-Seq data normalized to transcripts per million (TPM) across three hotspot eQTL regions: SSC3 (102,983,783bp), SSC2 (67,926,641bp), and SSC6 (93,742,864bp). For the hotspot located in SSC3, the AA genotype exhibited five significant co-expressed gene modules, while the BB genotype had only one. At the hotspot on SSC2, the AA genotype had four significant gene modules compared to five in the AB genotype. Notably, at the hotspot located in SSC6, 15 significant gene modules were identified for the AA genotype, whereas none were observed for the AB genotype. The co-expression networks revealed differences in gene connectivity, functional enrichment of identified modules, and hub genes, highlighting significant variations between the genotypes. The observed differences in co-expression related to FA composition in the AA and AB genotypes suggest that the genotypes influence gene co-expression. Furthermore, we identified genes co-expressed with metabolic processes indicative of diseases such as diabetes, alongside genes related to immunity and inflammatory response, including MAPK8, TFG, CCL17, TBX21, ELP2, and GYS1. These results enhance our understanding of the mechanisms in which genetic variations located in specific genomic regions impact the co-expression of genes related to metabolic regulation, thereby influencing relevant traits in pig breeding programs.

Conventional vitamin C intake estimations via food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) typically ignore cooking techniques, which can significantly alter nutrient content. This study evaluates the effect of incorporating a home cooking frequency questionnaire (HCFQ) alongside a FFQ to calculate vitamin C intake and its impact on adherence to dietary recommendations. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in the PREDIMAR study, a randomized trial that aims to evaluate the effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil on atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation. Vitamin C intake was estimated in two ways: derived from (1) raw food using a FFQ and the Spanish food composition tables, and (2) from raw and cooked food using a FFQ+HCFQ. Adherence to estimated average requirements and a recommended intake of 200mg/day were used to assess nutritional adequacy. Paired t-Test compared vitamin C mean intakes derived from both methods, and paired McNemar tests assessed differences in adequacy rates. Among 447 patients (25.1% female; mean age = 59.7 years (10.1)), mean vitamin C intake (SD) was significantly higher when derived solely from the FFQ (173.7mg/day (71.2)) vs. FFQ+HCFQ (160.1mg/day (68.8); p < 0.001). The largest decreases of vitamin C, when cooking techniques were considered, were observed in legumes (- 88.0%), tubers (- 62.7%), and vegetables (- 12.5%). The main source of between-person variability in vitamin C intake from vegetables and tubers was raw vegetables and boiled potatoes, respectively. Adequacy of vitamin C intake significantly dropped using FFQ+HCFQ (21.5%) vs. FFQ alone (30.4%, p < 0.001). Ignoring cooking methods may lead to overestimation by approximately 8% of both vitamin C intake and adequacy prevalence in epidemiologic research. Incorporating a cooking-frequency questionnaire yields more conservative and potentially accurate estimates, improving nutritional epidemiology precision.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy and effectiveness of ChatGPT and Gemini in responding to frequently asked orthodontic questions. Methods: Ten experienced orthodontists assessed the responses of ChatGPT and Gemini to a standardized set of patient questions using a five-point modified Likert scale. Data were statistically analyzed using non-parametric tests due to nonnormal distribution. Results: Both chatbots generally provided satisfactory responses, with ChatGPT achieving a slightly higher average accuracy score (1.53 ± 0.47) compared to Gemini (1.59 ± 0.52), though the difference was not statistically significant. ChatGPT’s most accurate answer was to the question about the advantages of braces vs. Invisalign, while Gemini performed best on dietary recommendations for patients with braces. Conclusion: ChatGPT and Gemini demonstrated similar performance in addressing patient queries in orthodontics, suggesting that both can serve as supplementary virtual assistants in clinical settings. While their responses are mostly accurate, clinicians should remain aware of the limitations and potential for misinformation. Continued refinement and integration of feedback mechanisms are essential to enhance their utility in orthodontic care.

Animal-derived foodstuffs are essential for human nutrition but may harbor pathogens responsible for foodborne diseases. In Maghreb countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia), data on foodborne pathogen hazards are often limited and fragmented. To address this gap, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the overall prevalence of foodborne pathogens in animal-derived foods in the Maghreb region from 2004 to 2025. A systematic literature search was conducted in two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 80 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using the meta package in R software, applying a random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of pathogens in foods of animal origin was 26.6% (95% CI: 20.0-33.8), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.9%). The highest contamination was observed in raw poultry meat (36.1%). Eleven foodborne bacterial species were reported. Salmonella spp. was the most frequently reported (n = 18), with a pooled prevalence of 14.2%, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (28.3%, n = 16) and Escherichia coli (36%, n = 16). Most studies were conducted in Algeria and Morocco, with country-level prevalence ranging from 22.1% to 38.1%. This review reveals a substantial burden of foodborne pathogens in the Maghreb region. Enhanced surveillance and targeted control measures are essential to improve food safety and protect public health.

Establishing causality in nutritional science is difficult. Human diets are complex, and individuals vary substantially in how they respond to dietary exposures. The nutrition literature mostly relies on observational studies, which are vulnerable to confounding and measurement error. Twin-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs), especially the co-twin control design, offer a compelling methodological solution to many of these challenges. This design enables researchers to distinguish genetic from environmental influences on health outcomes. The present scoping review was conducted to systematically map twin RCTs in nutrition science, evaluate their methodological approaches, and identify gaps and opportunities for future research. A comprehensive search across clinical trial registries and electronic databases yielded only 13 eligible studies, demonstrating that co-twin randomized dietary interventions remain rare relative to standard study designs using nontwins or twins assigned to the same arm. The interventions used in these eligible RCTs could be classified into four groups: dietary pattern interventions, nutrient- or supplement-based interventions, dietary component modification, and behavioral or multimodal interventions. This limited number of studies may be explained by recruitment challenges and concerns about generalizability. Greater international collaboration, standardized trial protocols, and integration of emerging technologies could expand the utility of twin designs in nutrition science.

Dietary protein source mediates colitis pathogenesis through bacterial modulation of bile acids.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a multidimensional health problem that may negatively affect lifestyle behaviors and quality of life during pregnancy. Effective management of gestational diabetes mellitus requires self-efficacy in areas such as glycemic monitoring, healthy nutrition, physical activity, and weight control. Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling approach that may support behavior change and health management. This study aimed to determine the effect of motivational interviewing on self-efficacy for health practices and quality of life in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. The study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental trial. The study data were collected between June 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, at two hospitals providing services in a city center in southern Türkiye. Participants were randomized into the intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. While the pregnant women in the intervention group received four sessions of motivational interviewing, the control group received routine care. A Personal Information Form, the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey were used for data collection. To evaluate the effect of motivational interviewing, the changes in the groups over time were compared. The statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. Before the intervention, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of descriptive characteristics or the mean scores of the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (p > 0.05). Following motivational interviewing, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher total Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale scores than the control group at post-test (92.30 ± 5.33 vs. 72.46 ± 17.95, p < 0.001) and follow-up (93.13 ± 6.21 vs. 71.06 ± 17.21, p < 0.001). The intervention group also had significantly higher scores in the physical functioning (60.16 ± 9.51 vs. 45.33 ± 15.47), vitality (60.50 ± 8.23 vs. 46.33 ± 15.13), mental health (70.53 ± 7.08 vs. 60.66 ± 10.40), social functioning (68.33 ± 15.99 vs. 56.48 ± 19.67), and general health perception (64.66 ± 7.87 vs. 47.32 ± 11.65) domains of the Short Form-36 Health Survey at post-test, with the differences between groups reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that motivational interviewing is effective in increasing self-efficacy and quality of life in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. Integrating motivational interviewing into care processes is recommended as an effective approach that can contribute to supporting self-efficacy and quality of life in these pregnant women. The study was registered atClinicalTrials.gov(ID: NCT06243939). First Submitted Date: 15.11.2023.