Improved Energy Balance Research Articles

An improved analytical technique for a non-linear conservative system with inertia and static non-linearity

In this paper, an improved energy balance method has been presented to obtain an analytical approximate solution to investigate a conservative non-linear oscillator having inertia and static non-linearity. The method is valid for both small and large amplitudes of oscillation. Although the trial solution of the present paper is the same as Khan and Mirzabeigy (2014), the solution procedure is different. Moreover, the algebraic equations appeared in the present technique are solved analytically. The results obtained in this paper are compared with other existing results. The present method not only gives better result than other existing result but also gives perfect agreement with the numerical result (considered to be exact result).

Intestinal AMPK modulation of gut microbiota mediates cross‐talk with brown fat to control metabolism

The energy‐dissipating capacity of brown adipose tissue through thermogenesis can be targeted to improve energy balance. Mammalian 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key nutrient sensor for maintaining cellular energy status, is a known therapeutic target for glucose control in Type II diabetes (T2D). Despite current understandings of its well‐established roles in regulating glucose metabolism in various tissues, the functions of AMPK in the intestine, an organ for nutrient processing, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we generated the intestinal AMPKα1 specific knock out mice (IKO) and observed that the AMPKα1 IKO mice displayed impaired thermogenesis function of brown adipose tissue both in chow diet and high fat diet condition. Moreover, HFD‐fed AMPKα1 IKO mice showed more severe impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Mechanistically, we revealed that intestinal AMPK can regulate the anti‐microbial peptides (AMPs) Reg3 and result in a shift in the gut microbiota composition, which leading to the elevation of the fermentation products methylglyoxal, and methylglyoxal can significantly suppress the UCP1 expression in the brown adipose tissue. While transplantation of the microbiota from AMPKα1 IKO mice to antibiotic‐induced microbiome depletion (AIMD) mice, the mice also showed impaired thermogenesis function of brown adipose tissue and elevated serum methylglyoxal level. In addition, we found that the metabolic effect and the AMP regulation of metformin is dependent on the intestinal AMPK.These results demonstrated that the intestinal nutrient sensor AMPKα1 can regulate the thermogenesis function of brown adipose tissue through modulating AMKP expression and reshaping the gut microbiome. These findings provide a new gut‐brown adipose tissue axis mechanism for activating energy expenditure and treating metabolic diseases.

Back Cover: Diets Containing Egg or Whey Protein and Inulin Fiber Improve Energy Balance and Modulate Gut Microbiota in Exercising Obese Rats

Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2022, 66, 202100653 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202100653 High protein diets containing egg or whey protein, together with inulin fiber and exercise, improved energy balance in obese rats by decreasing food intake partly through the gut hormone cholecystokinin, enhancing energy expenditure, and decreasing fat mass. Interestingly, the diet and exercise interventions improved glycemic control, modulated gut microbiota composition and function, and altered select circulating metabolites. This is reported by Prasanth Chelikani and co-workers in article number 2100653.

Comparison of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestions of thermal hydrolysis pretreated swine manure: Process performance, microbial communities and energy balance

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of swine manure (SM) commonly shows low biogas output and unsatisfactory economic performance. In this study, thermophilic AD (TAD, 50 ± 1 °C) was combined with thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP, 170 °C/10 bar), to investigate its potential for maximizing biogas yield, securing successful digestion and microbial diversity, as well as improving energy balance. Four lab-scale continuously stirred tank reactors were operated for 300 days and compared with each other, i.e., reactor 1 (raw SM fed in mesophilic AD: RSM-MAD), reactor 2 (THP-treated SM fed in MAD: TSM-MAD), reactor 3 (RSM-TAD), and reactor 4 (TSM-TAD). The results showed that THP was efficient to increase methane production of SM, TSM-TAD mode led to the highest methane yield (129.8 ± 40.5 mL-CH4/g-VS/day) among the tests (p < 0.05). Although TAD was more likely to induce free ammonia (> 700 mg/L) or volatile fatty acids (> 6000 mg/L) accumulation compared with MAD in start-up phase, TSM-TAD treatment mode behaved a sustainable digestion process in a long-term operation. For TSM-TAD scenario, higher Shannon–Weaver (3.873) and lower Simpson index (0.061) indicated this mode ensured and enlarged the diversity of bacteria communities. Phylum Bathyarchaeota was dominant (59.3%−90.0%) in archaea community, followed by Euryarchaeota in the four reactors. RSM-MAD treatment mode achieved the highest energy output (4.65 GJ/day), TSM-TAD was less effective (−17.38 GJ/day) due to increased energy demands. Thus improving the energetic efficiency of THP units is recommended for the development of TSM-TAD treatment mode.

Genoprotection and metabolic benefits of marine macroalgae - Insights into the concept of functional foods through direct and indirect consumption

The consumption of marine macroalgae has been linked with health benefits, albeit some actions, including genoprotection, remain underexplored. Hence, we evaluated the genoprotective potential of a mixture of Ulva rigida, Fucus vesiculosus and Gracilaria gracilis, through direct consumption or via indirect intake using fish (Sparus aurata) as a vector of algal phytocompounds. Mice (Mus musculus) were subjected to a 1-month dietary supplementation with 5% of macroalgae mix or 10% of fillet of fish previously fed with an algae-supplemented aquafeed (for comparison purposes, 10% supplementation with fillet of fish standardly fed was also considered). Thereafter, mice were challenged by the genotoxicant methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), and the genetic damage was evaluated through the micronuclei test. Complementarily, a wider evaluation was carried out encompassing the assessment of energy metabolism, haematological and histological parameters, as well as growth performance. Macroalgae unequivocally protected against MMS-induced genotoxicity. The activity profile of hepatic lactate and isocitrate dehydrogenases promoted by the supplemented diets reflected an improved energy balance. Genoprotection properties were not transferred via fish fed with the algae-supplemented aquafeed, though the transference of phytocomponents with beneficial properties (viz. energy balance improvement) should not be disregarded. Overall, these findings highlighted the genoprotection afforded by marine macroalgae, likely promoted by desmutagenic factors, reinforcing their definition as functional food. The possibility of using fish as an indirect source of algae-borne phytocomponents proved to be plausible and worthy of further investigations.

Intestinal AMPK modulation of microbiota mediates crosstalk with brown fat to control thermogenesis

The energy-dissipating capacity of brown adipose tissue through thermogenesis can be targeted to improve energy balance. Mammalian 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase, a key nutrient sensor for maintaining cellular energy status, is a known therapeutic target in Type II diabetes. Despite its well-established roles in regulating glucose metabolism in various tissues, the functions of AMPK in the intestine remain largely unexplored. Here we show that AMPKα1 deficiency in the intestine results in weight gain and impaired glucose tolerance under high fat diet feeding, while metformin administration fails to ameliorate these metabolic disorders in intestinal AMPKα1 knockout mice. Further, AMPKα1 in the intestine communicates with brown adipose tissue to promote thermogenesis. Mechanistically, we uncover a link between intestinal AMPKα1 activation and BAT thermogenic regulation through modulating anti-microbial peptide-controlled gut microbiota and the metabolites. Our findings identify AMPKα1-mediated mechanisms of intestine-BAT communication that may partially underlie the therapeutic effects of metformin.

Diagnosis and evaluation of patients treated with acupuncture in the public service

ObjectiveTo verify the effectiveness of acupuncture using Traditional Chinese Medicine tools (pulse and tongue), for several clinical conditions, in the public health service. This is a retrospective clinical study running in a single healthcare referral center in Brazil. Seventy-two patients participated (retrospective review of medical records). Acupuncture treatment was provided at the referral center. Material and methodsThe main outcome measures included the patients' main complaints, sex, pain classification using the verbal rating scale (VRS), observation of the tongue (color change and presence of coating), and pulse palpation, which were used to assess the most affected San Jiao (SJ). The patients' energy status was classified by the acupuncturist as deficient or excessive in the first and last treatment sessions. Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and binomial proportion test were used for comparisons of data. ResultsPatients experienced significant analgesia at the end of treatment than that before treatment (p < 0.01). At the end of treatment, the tongue showed a greater amount of coating in patients with a deficient energy state (p = 0.02) than in those with excess energy (p = 0.70); however, there was no difference in the tongue color (p > 0.05) between both patient groups. Pulse analysis showed an initial difference according to energy status, with reduced pulse in a deficiency state (p < 0.05), and balanced pulse at the end of the treatment (p = 0.48). ConclusionsAcupuncture is a therapeutic option for pain control and improved energy balance.

Diets Containing Egg or Whey Protein and Inulin Fiber Improve Energy Balance and Modulate Gut Microbiota in Exercising Obese Rats.

Dietary protein, prebiotic fiber, and exercise individually have been shown to aid in weight loss; however less is known of their combined effects on energy balance. The effects of diets high in protein and fiber, with exercise, on energy balance, hormones, and gut microbiota, were determined. Obese male rats were fed high-fat diets with high protein and fiber contents from egg protein and cellulose, egg protein and inulin, whey protein and cellulose, or whey protein and inulin, together with treadmill exercise. We found that inulin enriched diets decreased energy intake and respiratory quotient (RQ), increased energy expenditure (EE), and upregulated transcripts for cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY, and proglucagon in distal gut. Notably, CCK1-receptor blockade attenuated the hypophagic effects of diets and in particular whey-inulin diet, and β-adrenergic blockade reduced EE across all diets. Egg-cellulose, egg-inulin, and whey-inulin diets decreased weight gain, adiposity, and hepatic lipidosis; decreased lipogenic transcripts, improved glycemic control, and upregulated hepatic glucose metabolism transcripts; and decreased plasma insulin and leptin. Importantly, diet was linked to altered gut microbial composition and plasma metabolomics, and a subset of predicted metagenome pathways and plasma metabolites significantly correlated, with plasma butyric acid the most strongly associated to metagenome function. Combination of dietary egg or whey protein with inulin and exercise improved energy balance, glucose metabolism, upregulated anorectic hormones, and selectively modulated gut microbiota and plasma metabolites.

Effects of vitamin D3 injection in close-up period on insulin resistance and energy balance in transition dairy cows.

BackgroundMany studies in dairy cows are towards calcium homeostasis and there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of vitamin D in preventing insulin resistance and improving energy balance in the transition period of dairy cows.MethodsThe trial was conducted in a commercial dairy farm with about 1500 lactating cows in Tehran province, Iran. Twenty‐four Holstein cows had been randomly selected and divided into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, 12 cows, received a single dose of 8,000,000 IU vitamin D3 intramuscularly and in the control group, 12 cows were injected placebo (distilled water) 2–8 days before the expected calving time. Blood samples were collected between 8 and 10 AM 2 h after feeding on 21 and 7 days before calving and 1,3,7,15 and 30 days after calving. 25(OH)vitamin D, insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), insulin, nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), β‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), albumin, total protein, glucose, urea, triglyceride, cholesterol and aspartate amino transferase (AST) were measured by commercially available kits. The insulin resistance index was calculated.ResultsVitamin D3 injection significantly affected the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D, urea, insulin and insulin resistance index (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, the amounts of glucose, NEFA, BHBA concentration and AST activity were higher in control group (p ≤ 0.05). Time had a significant effect on the amounts of most measured variables except IGF‐1 and insulin. There were no group and time interactions for measured variables.ConclusionIt seems that injection of vitamin D3 in close up period influenced lipolysis potentially modifying energy metabolism and resulted in reducing insulin resistance.

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Promotes Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Energy Balance in a NAFLD Cell Model.

To explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) in a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cell model. Normal human hepatocyte LO2 cells were treated with 1 mmol/L free fatty acids (FFA) mixture for 24 h to induce NAFLD cell model. Cells were divided into 5 groups, including control, model, low-, medium- and high dose LBP (30,100 and 300 µg/mL) groups. The monosaccharide components of LBP were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography. Effects of LBP on cell viability and intracellular lipid accumulation were assessed by cell counting Kit-8 assay and oil red O staining, respectively. Triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and oxidative stress indicators were evaluated. Energy balance and mitochondrial biogenesis related mRNA and proteins were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Heteropolysaccharides with mannose and glucose are the main components of LBP. LBP treatment significantly decreased intracellular lipid accumulation as well as TG, ALT, AST and malondialdehyde levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01), increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and ATP in NAFLD cell model (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of uncoupling protein 2 was down-regulated and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α/nuclear respiratory factor 1/mitochondrial transcription factor A pathway was up-regulated (P<0.05). LBP promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and improves energy balance in NAFLD cell model.

A combined anaerobic digestion system for energetic brewery spent grain application in co-digestion with a sewage sludge.

In the present study, a combined technology for energetic brewery spent grain (BSG) use in co-digestion with sewage sludge (SS) was presented. A holistic approach that includes the impact of co-substrates and their carriers on the anaerobic digestion (AD) process, and the energetic aspects, was involved. Prior to AD, BSG was pretreated involving the hydrodynamic cavitation (HC); two different carriers were applied: MPW (municipal pre-settled wastewater) and mature landfill leachate (MLL). An orifice plate with a conical concentric hole of 3/10mm (inlet/outlet diameter) was applied as cavitation device. The initial pressure was 7bar and the number of recirculation passes through the cavitation zone was 30. The AD experiments were performed in semi-flow reactors, under mesophilic conditions at HRT of 20 and 21 d. In both co-digestion series, the constant co-substrate dose of 6% v/v was adopted. In the presence of cavitated BSG and MPW, a significant increase in biogas/methane production was provided as compared to SS mono-digestion, with the related improvement in kinetic constant by 3.5%. The average biogas yield was 0.48±0.03m3 kg-1 VS added, while in the control run 0.41±0.03m3 kg-1 VS added. Using cavitated BSG and MLL, such a beneficial effect was not observed. In both co-digestion series, slightly lower VS removal (as for the control) and stable process performance occurred. Moreover, the improved energy balance was provided. Due to the technological aspects, only co-digestion of cavitated BSG and MPW with SS is recommended for implementation into a full-scale.

Diet containing 35% crude protein improves energy balance, growth, and feed conversion in the Amazon river prawn, Macrobrachium amazonicum

A technological package has been developed in South America for culturing prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum; however, little information is available on its physiology and diet. We investigated the effect of different protein levels in the diet (32%, 35%, and 38% crude protein -P) on the feed conversion rate (FCR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and energy balance, calculated through the energy ingested and channeled toward growth, metabolism, feces, excretion, and exuviae for 30 days. Animals fed with 35% P channeled more energy toward growth (8.6% of energy intake), defecated less (only 5% of food intake), and improved FCR (about 1.2), and accumulated more energy in the body. In contrast, animals fed with 32% P channeled more energy into feces (36% of energy intake), and those fed with 38% P had the worst FCR and HSI. Regardless of the diet, ingested energy was mainly channeled toward metabolism (63–91%). Thus, we conclude that the protein content affects the variables evaluated and that the diet containing 35% P is a good alternative to optimize the use of energy channeled toward growth and minimize energy loss via excretion.

Low Volume High Intensity Interval Exercise affects Serum BDNF and proBDNF levels in Sedentary Healthy Men.

Background: Exercise and dietary modifications help improve energy balance and glucose control. High intensity interval exercise (HIIE) induces an increase in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with a corresponding decrease in its precursor (proBDNF). Pro-BDNF, possesses biological activities opposite those of BDNF. However, only few reports on the effect of HIIE on proBDNF compared to extensive studies on the BDNF.&#x0D; Methods: Normal, healthy, male adults performed six sessions of HIIE in a span of 2 weeks. Venous blood was collected, from which fasting blood sugar, glycated haemoglobin, serum insulin, BDNF and proBDNF were measured using ELISA. &#x0D; Results: Marked decrease in markers of glycemic control were recorded following the intervention. A reduction in proBDNF and increase in BDNF was also observed post exercise. We found a strong negative relationship between BDNF and FBS post exercise. &#x0D; Conclusion: HIIE reduces BDNF and proBDNF healthy men.

Zinc Supplementation Improved Neuropeptide Y, Nesfatin-1, Leptin, C-reactive protein, and HOMA-IR of Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Obesity is a mild chronic inflammation that causes many metabolic diseases. It was aimed to investigate some parameters affective on the energy metabolism by adding zinc (Zn, ZnSO4) to drinking water of diet-induced obese rats. Five-week aged, male Sprague Dawley rats divided into as control group, consuming standard rat diet, and high-fat diet (HFD) group. After obesity induced by feeding HFD for 8weeks, the obese rats were divided into Zn-supplemented obese group (HFD + obese + Zn; 150mg Zn/L (for 6weeks), 235mg Zn/L (7th week), 250mg Zn/L (8th week) in drinking water) and obese group (HFD + obese).Mean body weight, serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, neuropeptide-Y, leptin, insulin fasting blood glucose, and HOMA-IR were statistically decreased by given Zn in HFD + obese + Zn group compared to HFD + obese rats. It was observed that the total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels of HFD + obese + Zn group became closer to the control group level, and Zn supplementation caused a statistically significant decrease in cholesterol profile than HFD + obese rats. Also, increased mean serum nesfatin-1 level, an effective protein for the formation of satiety, was analyzed in HFD + obese + Zn group when compared to HFD + obese ones. Serum triglyceride concentration tended to decrease with the effect of Zn in obese rats. In conclusion, it can be said that oral use of Zn could improve energy balance and prevent the occurrence of metabolic diseases related to obesity depending on the anti-inflammatory effect of Zn.

Improved energy balance calculation of unitary air conditioners via virtual in-situ calibration

Data-driven technologies for intelligent building energy management and automation have been developed under the energy balance state of systems. The datasets required are typically derived using energy and mass balance principles at each system boundary. Hence, the energy balance of systems significantly affects the system and building performances. However, sensor errors in a building energy sensor network can hinder the identification of balance states, thereby causing energy balance calculation errors in operational systems. In this study, the cooling capacity balance errors between the air and refrigerant sides of two unitary air-conditioner systems, caused by measurement errors, are investigated experimentally. Virtual in-situ sensor calibration (VIC) is performed to determine hidden sensor errors that cause the cooling capacity balance error, as well as to improve the balance and the degraded system performance analysis by calibrating the measurement errors. Experiments reveal the extent of cooling capacity balance errors occurring between the air and refrigerant sides under different operational conditions (0.5%–14.8%). VIC reveals erroneous measurements and the manner by which energy balance errors with measurement errors are solved (below 2%). Finally, the system performance analysis of the two test units shows that the VIC-driven calibration datasets improve the accuracy (0.3%–1.8% errors) of the system energy efficiency ratio even for new test cases after VIC is applied. The primary contributions of this study are as follows: (1) VIC is applied to solve energy balance calculation errors; (2) a strategy is proposed to overcome insufficient datasets to ensure energy balance improvements; and (3) calibrated measurements in real systems are validated.

Improved energy balance at a municipal wastewater treatment plant through waste activated sludge low-temperature alkaline pretreatment

Sludge management has a significant impact on operating costs in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The current trend is to optimize the sludge management in order to enhance the energy independence from external energy suppliers, while reducing the operating costs of the WWTP. One of the methods is through the pretreatment of waste activated sludge (WAS). In this work, low-temperature alkaline pretreatment of WAS was examined as a method of improving the economic balance of the WWTP. In the initial pretreatment tests, the impacts of NaOH dose, temperature and reaction time on COD release as well as the degree of sludge disintegration were examined. Semi-continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) trials were then performed for pretreated WAS in selected conditions with low NaOH dosage for which no pH adjustment was required (16 g of NaOH/kgTS of WAS, 60 °C, 60 min). The tests showed an increase in methane yield from 210.4 ± 10.9 mL CH4/gVS to 248.8 ± 13.1 mL CH4/gVS and 267.1 ± 14.3 mL CH4/gVS for HRT 15 d and HRT 21.5 d, respectively. Energy balance and economic calculations for a full-scale WWTP were conducted based on the obtained results. It was concluded that it would be possible to increase electricity production from methane originated from AD of pretreated WAS up to 27% as well as to reduce the amount of dewatered sludge up to 8.7%. Energy balance and cost-benefit analyses indicated a possibility to reduce the operating cost by over 300,000 EUR/year in the case of a 1,200,000 people-equivalent WWTP.

Dietary whey and egg proteins interact with inulin fiber to modulate energy balance and gut microbiota in obese rats

Diets supplemented with protein and fiber are well known to reduce food intake and weight gain; however, less is known about the combined effects of protein and prebiotic fiber on energy balance and gut microbiota composition. We compared effects of diets containing high egg or whey protein with cellulose or prebiotic (inulin) fiber on energy balance, gut microbiota, hormones, and metabolites. Male obese rats (n=8/group) were allocated to four diets: Egg albumen+Cellulose (EC), Egg albumen+Inulin (EI), Whey protein+Cellulose (WC), and Whey protein+Inulin (WI). Results revealed that diet-induced hypophagia was transient with EC and prolonged with EI and WI, compared to WC. Importantly, CCK-1 receptor antagonist (Devazepide) attenuated the hypophagic effects of EC, EI, and WI. Further, EC, EI and WI decreased respiratory quotient, energy expenditure, weight and adiposity gains, and improved glycemia, relative to WC. Propranolol (β1-β2-receptor blocker) attenuated diet-induced changes in energy expenditure. Transcript abundance of thermogenic markers in brown adipose tissue, plasma hormones, and metabolites especially acyl-carnitines and glycerophospholipids, were differentially altered by diets. Diet explained 25% of compositional differences in cecal microbiomes, but diets with same fiber type did not differ. Microbiota differing between groups also strongly correlated with gut hormones and metabolites. Species most strongly correlated to a marker for butyrate production were in highest abundance in inulin diets. Together, these findings indicate that inulin enriched diets containing egg or whey protein improved energy balance, decreased adiposity, and modulated gut microbiota and metabolites, with CCK signaling partly mediating the satiety effects of diets.

The Arcuate Nucleus of the Hypothalamus and Metabolic Regulation: An Emerging Role for Renin-Angiotensin Pathways.

Obesity is a chronic state of energy imbalance that represents a major public health problem and greatly increases the risk for developing hypertension, hyperglycemia, and a multitude of related pathologies that encompass the metabolic syndrome. The underlying mechanisms and optimal treatment strategies for obesity, however, are still not fully understood. The control of energy balance involves the actions of circulating hormones on a widely distributed network of brain regions involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure, including the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. While obesity is known to disrupt neurocircuits controlling energy balance, including those in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, the pharmacological targeting of these central mechanisms often produces adverse cardiovascular and other off-target effects. This highlights the critical need to identify new anti-obesity drugs that can activate central neurocircuits to induce weight loss without negatively impacting blood pressure control. The renin–angiotensin system may provide this ideal target, as recent studies show this hormonal system can engage neurocircuits originating in the arcuate nucleus to improve energy balance without elevating blood pressure in animal models. This review will summarize the current knowledge of renin–angiotensin system actions within the arcuate nucleus for control of energy balance, with a focus on emerging roles for angiotensin II, prorenin, and angiotensin-(1–7) pathways.

Investigating partner involvement in pregnancy and identifying barriers and facilitators to participating as a couple in a digital healthy eating and physical activity intervention

BackgroundMaternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain are associated with adverse maternal and foetal health outcomes. Interventions targeting dietary and physical activity behaviours during pregnancy have typically been directed at women only. A digital intervention targeting couples could encourage expectant parents to support each other in improving energy balance (dietary and physical activity) behaviours.AimsThis study aimed to investigate the role partners play in pregnant women’s energy balance behaviours, and to identify barriers and facilitators to participating as a couple in a digital intervention to encourage healthy eating and physical activity in pregnancy.MethodsA qualitative design combined online focus groups and telephone interviews. Three focus groups were held with men (n = 15) and one mini focus group (n = 3) and 12 telephone interviews were conducted with women. Participants were either in the last trimester of pregnancy or had a baby under 18 months old. Most were from more deprived population groups where prevalence of maternal obesity is higher. Data were analysed thematically. Barriers and facilitators to participating as a couple in a digital intervention were mapped to the COM-B model and the Theoretical Domains Framework.ResultsFour main themes were identified; partner involvement and support; partner understanding of good energy balance behaviours; couple concordance of energy balance behaviours; partner influence on her energy balance behaviours. Most facilitators to participating in a digital intervention as a couple fell within the Reflective Motivation domain of COM-B. Men were motivated by the desire to be supportive partners and good role models. Women were motivated by their belief that partner involvement would improve their success in achieving goals and enhance couple-bonding. Other facilitators included concordance in dietary behaviours (Physical Opportunity), healthcare practitioner recommendation, perceptions of pregnancy as ‘ours’ (Social Opportunity) and feeling supported and involved (Automatic Motivation). Barriers were rarely mentioned but included potential for partner conflict, perceptions of pregnancy as ‘hers’ and economic constraints.ConclusionsAn opportunity exists to harness partner support to improve maternal energy balance behaviours. Barriers and facilitators to participating in a digital intervention as a couple indicate its potential to benefit emotional and relationship wellbeing in addition to physical health.

Relationship between calving interval and profitability of Brown Swiss cows in a subtropical region of Mexico.

Brown Swiss cattle have replaced Zebus in some dual-purpose farms in tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, under extensive grazing management. There is limited information about the productive and reproductive performance of this breed under tropical conditions; the lack of records from small farms may be the main reason. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the relationship between calving interval (CI) and milk and beef (weaned male calves) profit in Brown Swiss cows from a dual-purpose farm under extensive management in a subtropical region of Mexico. Data from 156 cows calving from 2000 to 2014 were analysed with both a linear and a survival model. Mean CI was 438 ± 49days, mean age at first calving was 40 ± 6months and length of productive life was 7 ± 3years. The effects of parity, calving year and calving season were significantly related to CI (P < 0.05), whereas the effect of calf sex was not. Cows calving in the autumn and winter had shorter calving intervals, probably because supplements received during the dry season months improved energy balance. The highest culling rate was 28% at 45months of age. Milk yield and total profit increased as CI increased from 12 to 20months; beef contribution to total profit decreased as CI and milk yield increased. Calving intervals of more than 12 and up to 20months had a positive effect on the milk production and profitability of dual-purpose cows in a subtropical region of Mexico.