Influence Of Dietary Composition Research Articles

Pre- and postpartum metabolizable protein supply: II. Effects on plasma amino acids and markers of tissue mobilization in transition Holstein dairy cows.

The influence of diet composition on the degree of adipose and lean muscle mobilization and concentrations of circulating AA has been demonstrated during the transition period. Altering the MP supply might offer a strategy to control tissue mobilization and increase circulating AA availability, but the optimum supply of MP fed pre- and postpartum remains unknown. We investigated the effect of increasing the MP supply in the prepartum, postpartum, or both diets on plasma AA concentrations and ultrasound and circulating indicators of tissue mobilization. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 96) were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups at 28 d before expected calving following a randomized block design. Prepartum diets were formulated to contain either a control (C; 85 g of MP/kg DM; 1,175 g of MP/d) or high (H; 113 g of MP/kg DM; 1,603 g of MP/d) level of estimated MP. From calving to 21 DIM, fresh diets were formulated to contain either a control (C; 104 g of MP/kg DM; 2,044 g of MP/d) or high (H; 131 g of MP/kg DM; 2,685 g of MP/d) level of estimated MP. To control the potential confounding effect of Met and Lys supply, diets were formulated to supply an equal amount at 1.24 and 3.84 g/Mcal of ME in both prepartum diets and 1.15 and 3.16 g/Mcal of ME in both postpartum diets, respectively. The combination of a pre- and postpartum diet resulted in 4 treatment groups: 1) CC (n = 23), 2) CH (n = 24), 3) HC (n = 22), and 4) HH (n = 23). A common lactation diet (113 g of MP/kg DM; 2,956 g of MP/d) was fed from 22 DIM to the end of the observation period at 42 DIM. Transcutaneous ultrasonography was used to determine the longissimus dorsi muscle diameter and backfat thickness. Concentrations of plasma AA, 3-methylhistidine (3MH), and creatinine were determined on a subset of cows (n = 60) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Treatment did not affect the longissimus dorsi muscle diameter from -14 to 21 d relative to calving, but the diameter was greater in CH compared with HH at 40 DIM. Backfat thickness and the ratio of 3MH to creatinine did not differ by treatment. Concentrations of EAA were greater at -13 d relative to calving in HH compared with CC and CH and at -6 d relative to calving EAA concentrations were higher in HC compared with CC. Cows fed the H diet postpartum had elevated EAA concentrations at 6 and 20 DIM compared with cows fed the C postpartum diet but EAA concentration did not differ at 40 DIM. Total NEAA concentrations were higher in CH compared with HC and HH at -6 d relative to calving, but NEAA concentration did not differ by treatment at -13, 6, 20, or 40 d relative to calving. In conclusion, increasing the supply of MP fed prepartum, postpartum, or both had minimal effects on tissue mobilization but influenced concentrations of plasma AA.

The influence of dietary composition on food preference in Sharplanina Shepherd puppies

The influence of dietary composition on food preference in Sharplanina Shepherd puppies

Feasible diet and circadian interventions reduce invivo progression of FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an internal tandem duplication in the fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 3 gene (FLT3-ITD) is associated with poor survival, and few studies have examined the impact of modifiable behaviors, such as nutrient quality and timing, in this subset of acute leukemia. The influence of diet composition (low-sucrose and/or low-fat diets) and timing of diet were tested in tandem with anthracycline treatment in orthotopic xenograft mouse models. A pilot clinical study to test receptivity of pediatric leukemia patients to macronutrient matched foods was conducted. A role for the circadian protein, BMAL1 (brain and muscle ARNT-like 1), in effects of diet timing was studied by overexpression in FLT3-ITD-bearing AML cells. Reduced tumor burden in FLT3-ITD AML-bearing mice was observed with interventions utilizing low-sucrose and/or low-fat diets, or time-restricted feeding (TRF) compared to mice fed normal chow adlibitum. In a tasting study, macronutrient matched low-sucrose and low-fat meals were offered to pediatric acute leukemia patients who largely reported liking the meals. Expression of the circadian protein, BMAL1, was heightened with TRF and the low-sucrose diet. BMAL1 overexpression and treatment with a pharmacological inducer of BMAL1 was cytotoxic to FLT3-ITD AML cells. Mouse models for FLT3-ITD AML show that diet composition and timing slows progression of FLT3-ITD AML growth invivo, potentially mediated by BMAL1. These interventions to enhance therapy efficacy show preliminary feasibility, as pediatric leukemia patients responded favorable to preparation of macronutrient matched meals.

Effects of a Dietary Multienzyme Extract on Isotope Biokinetics in Red Claw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus Juveniles

Understanding the nutritional and metabolic physiology of aquatic organisms is essential for optimizing aquaculture practices and informing ecological models. We investigated the influence of dietary composition, specifically the incorporation of multienzyme extract derived from Pleoticus muelleri waste, on the growth and metabolic processes of juvenile Cherax quadricarinatus. We investigated how these dietary changes influence dietary assimilation and tissue turnover using stable isotope δ13C and δ15N dynamics, in both the pleon muscle and hepatopancreas. Juvenile crayfish were subjected to two isocaloric diets for a 90‐day period: a control diet (diet C) and a diet supplemented with a multienzyme extract (diet E) from red shrimp waste. Despite comparable growth rates, isotopic analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of the pleon muscle and hepatopancreas revealed distinct metabolic patterns between both dietary treatments. The hepatopancreas exhibited accelerated isotopic turnover relative to muscle tissue, irrespective of diet, suggesting a more dynamic metabolic role. Diet E further accelerated turnover rates in both tissues, indicative of enhanced nutrient assimilation and utilization. Consistent isotopic disparities between the hepatopancreas and muscle tissues highlighted tissue‐specific metabolic functions, with the hepatopancreas serving as a metabolic hub. Molting‐induced shifts in isotopic patterns underscored the dynamic interplay between metabolic processes and nutrient mobilization. Isotopic equilibrium was reached earlier for δ13C than δ15N, with lower discrimination factors in the hepatopancreas. While δ13C primarily supported metabolic processes, δ15N contributed substantially to growth, especially in muscle. These findings illuminate the complex interplay of dietary composition, isotopic fractionation, and physiological regulation in C. quadricarinatus. The metabolic enhancements induced by the diet supplemented with the extract warrant further investigation to optimize nutrient utilization and growth performance in aquaculture settings.

PMON246 Prevalence of Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome in Women with PCOS from France and Brazil

Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, affecting women of reproductive age and has been associated with metabolic and reproductive abnormalities. Evidence from different geographic regions indicates that the metabolic features of PCOS may be influenced by ethnicity, lifestyle and sociocultural backgrounds. Also, metabolic disturbances seem to be found in higher frequency in referral than in unselected populations and from a clinical practice point of view, data from referral samples may be relevant for adjusting effective primary and secondary prevention strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension and metabolic syndrome (MBS) in women with PCOS from France and Brazil. We retrospectively assessed 314 French (FR) women and 236 Brazilian (BR) women with PCOS, according to the Rotterdam criteria, aging between 18 and 42 years and not using combined oral contraceptives or metformin. These women had been referred to the respective University Hospitals between 2014 to 2021 in France and 2014 to 2020 in Brazil. BR women had participated in previous studies conducted at our research center. Hypertension was defined according to the ACC/AHA 2017 and MBS according to the Joint Scientific Statement, 2009. Mean age was 26.0 (SD 5.9) years FR and 25.9 (SD 5.8) BR, p=0.87, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 (SD 6.8) FR and 31.3 (SD 7.5) BR P<0.001. The frequency of classical phenotype (A/B) was 83.7% in FR (n=262) and 77.1% in BR (n=182), p =0.071. Subsequent analyses were done including only women presenting the classical phenotype from each center. FR women with PCOS presented lower prevalence of overweight/obesity (53.7% FR vs. 84.6% BR, p<0.001), hypertension (32.6% FR vs. 71.6% BR, p<0.001) and MBS (12.5% FR vs. 38.5% BR, p< 0.001) than BR women with PCOS. Using logistic regression models for hypertension and MBS, it was found that both BMI and country contributed significantly for these prevalence results. In conclusion, women with PCOS living in France presented a less severe metabolic profile than those living in south Brazil. Differences in dietary pattern, lifestyle, socio-cultural features and ethnicity may have contributed to these results. Further studies are warranted to deeper characterize the influence of dietary composition and lifestyle on prevalence ratios of metabolic features in women living in France. Sources of Research Support: INCT-CNPq /FAPERGS Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Антропометрические показатели и нутритивный статус детей с тяжелой формой атопического дерматита и пищевой аллергией

Objective. To assess the nutritional status and factors affecting it in children with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA). Patients and methods. This single-center, observational, cross-sectional, uncontrolled, retrospective study enrolled 315 children aged between 1 month and 17 years 11 months with severe AD and FA. Standard anthropometric parameters were measured and calculated, including WAZ (weight-for-age Z-score), HAZ (height-for-age Z-score), and BAZ (BMI-for-age Z-score). Patients’ medical histories were examined, and the levels of total IgE and specific IgE to food allergens, hemoglobin, ferritin, iron, and vitamin D were evaluated. Results. On average, anthr opometric parameters in the examined patients were below the reference values. Failure to thrive of mild degree was detected in 27.6% of children, moderate degree in 13.7%, and severe degree in 2,2%. The frequency of overweight and obesity was 9.5% and 3.8%, respectively. A correlation was found between HAZ and children’s age (r = 0.21, p = 0.015) and the number of excluded food groups (r = -1.66, p = 0.031), and between BAZ and the number of excluded food groups (r = -1.39, p = 0.019). HAZ (p = 0.014) and BAZ (p = 0.017) values were lower in children following a dairy-free diet than in children on other types of elimination diets. At the same time, BAZ was higher in children who did not strictly follow the diet than in those who did (p = 0.011). There was a correlation between BAZ and vitamin D levels (r = 0.29, p = 0.012). Formulas based on extensive hydrolyzed protein and free aminoacides reduced severity and frequency of failure to thrive in management children with CMPA. Conclusion. Children with severe AD and FA require careful planning of their diets to reduce the risk of failure to thrive. It is necessary to study the influence of dietary composition and eating behavior of patients on their nutritional status. Key words: children, atopic dermatitis, nutritional status, elimination diet, food allergy, physical development, vitamin D

Diet Composition, Glucose Homeostasis, and Weight Regain in the YoYo Study.

Based on several randomized clinical trials, it has been suggested that baseline glucose homeostasis interacts with the influence of diet composition on weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In this secondary analysis of the YoYo study, a study investigating predictors of weight loss maintenance, we tested the hypothesis that (self-selected) dietary carbohydrate and/or fibre intake interact with the glucose homeostasis parameters for weight loss maintenance. Sixty-one overweight or obese individuals lost around 10 kg of body weight on an energy-restricted diet and were then followed for 9 months. During this period, participants were advised to maintain their body weight and eat a healthy diet without further recommendations on calorie intake or diet composition. Contrary to our hypothesis, carbohydrate intake showed no positive association with weight regain after weight loss, and no interaction with baseline fasting glucose concentration was found. There was a non-significant negative association between fibre intake and weight regain (B = −0.274, standard error (SE) 0.158, p = 0.090), but again, no interaction with fasting plasma glucose was found. In conclusion, the data from the YoYo study do not support a role for baseline glucose homeostasis in determining the association between self-reported carbohydrate and/or fibre intake and weight regain after weight loss.

High-fat diet and dyslipidemia synergistically contribute to T cell senescence in gut associated lymphoid tissue.

Obesity can compromise immune response and immune surveillance. Recent studies have linked obesity with systemic T cell senescence and thymus involution. However, these studies failed to distinguish the influence of obesity from the influence of diet composition on premature T cell senescence. High-fat diet (HFD) can influence the immunity of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) preceding the onset of obesity. Despite GALT is sensitive to the changes in the dietary composition and metabolic status, it still remains elusive how HFD and obesity contribute to T cell senescence in the GALT. In this study, we illustrated the interplay of the HFD, obesity and intestinal immunity by comparing the immune features of diet-induced obese (DIO) to those of diet-resistant (DR) mice. As expected, DIO mice exhibited increased serum lipid levels and liver steatosis whereas dyslipidemia was absent in DR mice. DIO mice demonstrated a shift from naïve to effector-memory (EM) phenotype in the T cells derived from the spleens and PPs. Moreover, DIO mice showed up-regulation of PD1 and KLRG1 on the T cells. Similar but mild trends were observed in the naïve and EM T cells from DR mice. Furthermore, we proved that the senescent-like changes in splenic and PPs-derived T cells positively correlated with the serum lipid concentrations. Taken together, our results indicate that HFD components function synergistically with dyslipidemia to induce T cell senescence in the GALT.

Dietary-Induced Low-Grade Inflammation in the Liver.

The literature describes a close correlation between metabolic disorders and abnormal immune responses, like low-grade inflammation (LGI), which may be one mechanistic link between obesity and various comorbidities, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In our study, we investigated the influence of dietary composition on obesity-derived LGI in the liver. We used a dietary induced obesity mouse model of C57BL/6J mice fed with high fat diet (HFD, 60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrates) and two different controls. One was rich in carbohydrates (10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrates), further referred to as the control diet (CD), and the other one is referred to as the standard diet (SD), with a more balanced macronutrient content (9% fat, 33% protein, 58% carbohydrates). Our results showed a significant increased NAFLD activity score in HFD compared to both controls, but livers of the CD group also differed in their macroscopic appearance from healthy livers. Hepatic fat content showed significantly elevated cholesterol concentrations in the CD group. Histologic analysis of the cellular immune response in the liver showed no difference between HFD and CD and expression analysis of immunologic mediators like interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha also point towards a pro-inflammatory response to CD, comparable to LGI in HFD. Therefore, when studying diet-induced obesity with a focus on inflammatory processes, we encourage researchers to carefully select controls and not use a control diet disproportionally rich in carbohydrates.

Skin Mucus Fatty Acid Composition of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus Aurata): A Descriptive Study in Fish Fed Low and High Fish Meal Diets

Terrestrial protein and lipid sources are commonly used as substitutes for marine fishery-derived raw ingredients in fish diets. However, their use is related with several side-effects on marine fish performance, health, or disease resistance. Physical barriers of the skin, gills, and gut constitute the primary defense mechanism of fish. Skin mucus mucosal mucins, water, proteins, ions, and lipids determine the physical, chemical, and protective characteristics of skin mucus. Very little is known about the influence of diet composition on fish skin mucus fatty acid profile. Gilthead sea bream skin mucus contained 10% of total lipids (TL), which consisted of 50–60% neutral (NL) and 40–50% polar lipids (PL) fractions. Σn−3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) deposition was preferential in the NL fraction, whereas Σn−6LC-PUFA accumulation was similar in both lipid classes. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n−3) was the main LC-PUFA stored in skin mucus (14% TL) in relation to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n−3) (2–3% TL) and arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n−6) (2% TL). This study denotes the importance of DHA as component of skin mucus lipids compared to other essential fatty acids, such as EPA and ARA, as well as importance of maintaining an adequate Σn−3/ Σn−6 ratio, regardless of dietary intake.

Influence of dietary composition on the phosphate-binding ability of lanthanum during in vitro digestion

Influence of dietary composition on the phosphate-binding ability of lanthanum during in vitro digestion

Effect of dietary mineral phosphorus and phytate on in situ ruminal phytate disappearance from different concentrates in dairy cows

The first objective of this study was to determine the influence of dietary composition on the in situ disappearance of phytate (InsP6) from wheat, corn, soybean meal, and rapeseed meal [solvent-extracted, without (RSM) or with (hRSM) heat treatment] in the rumen of dairy cows. The second objective was to assess the primary degradation products of InsP6 in the rumen. Three diets differing in phosphorus and InsP6 concentration (basal diet = 0.38% P in dry matter; high-P diet = 0.56% P; high-InsP6 diet = 0.39% P) were fed to 3 ruminally fistulated lactating Jersey cows in a 3 × 3 Latin square. Ground concentrates (sieve size = 2 mm) were incubated in polyester bags in the rumen for 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h. The bag residues were analyzed for P, InsP6, isomers of lower inositol phosphates (InsP5, InsP4, InsP3), and crude protein. The InsP6 disappeared more rapidly from cereal grains than from oilseed meals; however, after 24 h of incubation ≥95% InsP6 had disappeared from all concentrates except hRSM (57%; diet average). Feeding the high-InsP6 diet increased InsP6 disappearance for oilseed meals, but not for corn and wheat. The predominant InsP5 isomer in all bag residues was Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P5 followed by Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 and Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5. A further InsP5 isomer [Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5] was detected in both rapeseed meal bag residues. Feeding the high-InsP6 diet led to lower concentrations of Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P5 and Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5, whereas an interaction between diet, concentrate, and time occurred for Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5 and Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5. The results confirm the high potential of rumen microorganisms to hydrolyze InsP6; however, increasing the amount of InsP6 in the diet can further enhance InsP6 hydrolysis, which may be relevant when concentrates with slowly degradable InsP6, such as RSM or heat-treated concentrates, are fed to dairy cows. Based on the concentrations of InsP5 isomers, 3 and 6 phytases appear to play a major role in the rumen. Conversely, intrinsic plant phytase activity appears to be less relevant as the percentage of its primary hydrolysis product, Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5, changed only slightly upon using wheat known for high intrinsic phytase activity instead of the other concentrates. Additional information regarding the factors influencing the extent of ruminal InsP6 disappearance will require further studies to determine the phytase activity of rumen microorganisms and the characteristics of their respective phytases.

Influence of Diet Composition on Cattle Rumen Methanogenesis: A Comparative Metagenomic Analysis in Indian and Exotic Cattle.

Comparative metagenomics approach has been used in this study to discriminate colonization of methanogenic population in different breeds of cattle. We compared two Indian cattle breeds (Gir and Kankrej) and two exotic cattle (Holstein and Jersey) breeds. Using a defined dietary plan for selected Indian varieties, the diet dependent shifts in microbial community and abundance of the enzymes associated with methanogenesis were studied. This data has been compared with the available rumen metagenome data from Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle. The abundance of genes for methanogenesis in Holstein and Jersey cattle came from Methanobacteriales order whereas, majority of the enzymes for methanogenesis in Gir and Kankrej cattle came from Methanomicrobiales order. The study suggested that by using slow/less digestible feed, the propionate levels could be controlled in rumen; and in turn, this would also help in further reducing the hydrogenotrophic production of methane. The study proposes that with the designed diet plan the overall methanogenic microbial pool or the individual methanogens could be targeted for development of methane mitigation strategies.

Effects of time of initiation of feeding after hatching and diet composition on performance, carcass characteristics, digestive tract development and immune responses of broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of time of initiation of feeding after hatching and influence of diet composition on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive tract development and immune responses of broilers. A total of straight-run 420 Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six treatments with five replicates of 14 chicks each. The dietary treatments consisted of feeding a maize-soybean meal diet immediately posthatching until 14 days of age (Control), fasting for 24 or 48 h posthatching, feeding maize for 24–48 h posthatching, and feeding a maize gluten-dextrose pre-starter diet for 5 days posthatching. The study lasted from 0 to 42 days of age. For the entire 42-day period, chicks fasted or fed maize for 48 h posthatching or those fed the maize gluten-dextrose diet for 5 days posthatching had lower (P < 0.05) feed intake and lower (P < 0.05) weight gain compared with the Control. However, birds fasted or those fed maize for 24 or 48 h posthatching had similar (P > 0.05) feed intake and weight gain as the Control. The duodenal villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio were lower (P < 0.05) and the duodenal crypt depth was higher (P < 0.05) in birds fasted for 48 h posthatching compared with the Control. Conversely, birds fasted for 48 h posthatching had higher (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio and lower (P < 0.05) jejunal crypt depth compared with the Control. The antibody titres against Newcastle disease was lower (P < 0.05) for the groups other than the Control, whereas the antibody titres against Avian Influenza virus was lower (P < 0.05) in birds fasted for 48 h posthatching and in those fed maize for 48 h posthatching compared with the Control. Also, birds fed maize for 24 h posthatching had lower (P < 0.05) antibody titres against sheep red blood cells compared with the other treatments. These results indicated that feeding a maize-soybean meal starter diet immediately after hatch has a beneficial effect on growth performance and immune response of broilers and improves morphological development of the intestine.

Effects of Different Diets on the Growth, Survival, and Nutritional Composition of Juvenile Cuttlefish,Sepia pharaonis

AbstractThe aim of this experiment was to determine the optimal initial food for hatchling cuttlefish and to investigate the influence of dietary composition on the growth, survival, and nutritional composition of cultured juvenile cuttlefish,Sepia pharaonis. Six experimental food groups were designated:Artemia nauplii,Calanus sinicus, frozenHyperacanthomysis brevirostris,Ampithoe valida,H. brevirostris, and subadultArtemia. The results showed that survival, growth body biochemical composition of juvenile cuttlefish were significantly affected by experimental diets (P < 0.05). The optimum initial food wasH. brevirostris, yielding a growth rate as high as 6.39%/d and survival rate reaching 81%. Growth rate was significantly positively correlated with dietary protein, Lys, Met, Phe, Iie, Leu, Trp, Arg, Gly, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and 16:0 (P < 0.05). Survival was significantly positively correlated with dietary protein, Lys, Met, Phe, Val, Thr, Iie, Leu, Trp, Arg, Gly,EPA,DHA, and 16:0 (P < 0.05). The dietary protein, lipid, Met, Val, Thr, Leu, 18:0, andEPAwere prone to accumulation within the body of juvenile cuttlefish (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that juvenile cuttlefish exhibited the best growth rates and survival when fed a diet that supplied high‐protein, low‐fat, and larger quantities of Lys, Met, Phe, Val, Thr, Iie, Leu, Trp, Arg, Gly,EPA,DHA, and 16:0.

Macronutrient composition determines accumulation of persistent organic pollutants from dietary exposure in adipose tissue of mice

Accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been linked to adipose tissue expansion. As different nutrients modulate adipose tissue development, we investigated the influence of dietary composition on POP accumulation, obesity development and related disorders. Lifespan was determined in mice fed fish-oil-based high fat diets during a long-term feeding trial and accumulation of POPs was measured after 3, 6 and 18months of feeding. Further, we performed dose–response experiments using four abundant POPs found in marine sources, PCB-153, PCB-138, PCB-118 and pp′-DDE as single congeners or as mixtures in combination with different diets: one low fat diet and two high fat diets with different protein:sucrose ratios. We measured accumulation of POPs in adipose tissue and liver and determined obesity development, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and hepatic expression of genes involved in metabolism of xenobiotics. Compared with mice fed diets with a low protein:sucrose ratio, mice fed diets with a high protein:sucrose ratio had significantly lower total burden of POPs in adipose tissue, were protected from obesity development and exhibited enhanced hepatic expression of genes involved in metabolism and elimination of xenobiotics. Exposure to POPs, either as single compounds or mixtures, had no effect on obesity development, glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the dietary composition of macronutrients profoundly modulates POP accumulation in adipose tissues adding an additional parameter to be included in future studies. Our results indicate that alterations in macronutrient composition might be an additional route for reducing total body burden of POPs.

The role of dietary acid load and mild metabolic acidosis in insulin resistance in humans.

Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being recognised as a global health crisis (World Health Organisation). Insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity and precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. However, there is now increasing evidence to suggest that diet itself may independently be associated with type 2 diabetes risk. A diet with a high acid load (or high potential renal net acid load, PRAL) can result in a decrease in pH towards the lower end of the normal physiological range, which may in turn lead to the development of insulin resistance. Conversely, reducing dietary acid load (the so called 'alkaline diet') may be protective and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Here, we explore the influence of dietary acid load on the development of mild metabolic acidosis and induction of insulin resistance. Whilst large prospective cohort studies link high dietary acid load or low serum bicarbonate with the development of type 2 diabetes, the effect of a diet with a low acid (or high alkaline) load remains unclear. Further interventional studies are required to investigate the influence of dietary composition on the body's acid/base balance, insulin resistance and incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Elucidating how diet drives gut bacterial composition through computational simulation

A growing body of evidence has highlighted the influence of the gut microbial community on host health, with dysbiosis being implicated in diseases as diverse as autism, obesity and colitis. Characterisation of the mechanisms through which the gut microbiota and the hot interact is required to build an understanding of how to effectively manage and manipulate host health. This work employs computational simulation to elucidate the influence of diet composition and feeding regimen on gut bacterial community composition. This modelling work builds on a real mouse study in which 250 mice were administered one of 30 diets. Each diet consists of different ratios of carbohydrate, protein and fat, and in addition, varying quantities of cellulose that adjust the host-accessible nutrient density of the diet. We simulate each mouse in this study, and assess how the diet composition and varying lengths and regularities of feeding versus diet periods drive bacterial community composition. Our simulation explicitly represents individual bacteria as belonging to one of five functional guilds, defined by their preferential access to carbon and nitrogen from a subset of feed-derived protein, cornstarch, dyetrose, or intestinal mucin. We simulate heterogeneous bacterial communities, where individual bacteria compete for limited nutrient resources, have varying growth and death rates, and undergo a stress response in response to periods of nutrient scarcity. Through simulation we can predict how different diets, the periods at which food is eaten, and periods of fasting can influence bacterial community composition. We find that periodic caloric restriction drives a greater relative abundance of bacterial guilds that preferentially access carbon and nitrogen from mucin, and that the benefit to these guilds varies with host diet composition. We can assess the quantities and times at which fibre supplements can be administered to achieve optimal effect in manipulating bacterial community composition.

Effect of bite force and diet composition on craniofacial diversification of Southern South American human populations.

Ecological factors can be important to shape the patterns of morphological variation among human populations. Particularly, diet plays a fundamental role in craniofacial variation due to both the effect of the nutritional status-mostly dependent on the type and amount of nutrients consumed-on skeletal growth and the localized effects of masticatory forces. We examine these two dimensions of diet and evaluate their influence on morphological diversification of human populations from southern South America during the late Holocene. Cranial morphology was measured as 3D coordinates defining the face, base and vault. Size, form, and shape variables were obtained for 474 adult individuals coming from 12 samples. Diet composition was inferred from carious lesions and δ(13) C data, whereas bite forces were estimated using traits of main jaw muscles. The spatial structure of the morphological and ecological variables was measured using correlograms. The influence of diet composition and bite force on morphometric variation was estimated by a spatial regression model. Cranial variation and diet composition display a geographical structure, while no geographical pattern was observed in bite forces. Cranial variation in size and form is significantly associated with diet composition, suggesting a strong effect of systemic factors on cranial growth. Conversely, bite forces do not contribute significantly to the pattern of morphological variation among the samples analyzed. Overall, these results show that an association between diet composition and hardness cannot be assumed, and highlight the complex relationship between morphological diversification and diet in human populations.

Implementation of ontology-based clinical decision support system for management of interactions between antihypertensive drugs and diet

The influence of dietary composition on blood pressure is an important subject in healthcare. Interactions between antihypertensive drugs and diet (IBADD) is the most important factor in the management of hypertension. It is therefore essential to support healthcare providers' decision making role in active and continuous interaction control in hypertension management. The aim of this study was to implement an ontology-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) for IBADD management (IBADDM). We considered the concepts of antihypertensive drugs and foods, and focused on the interchangeability between the database and the CDSS when providing tailored information. An ontology-based CDSS for IBADDM was implemented in eight phases: (1) determining the domain and scope of ontology, (2) reviewing existing ontology, (3) extracting and defining the concepts, (4) assigning relationships between concepts, (5) creating a conceptual map with CmapTools, (6) selecting upper ontology, (7) formally representing the ontology with Protégé (ver.4.3), (8) implementing an ontology-based CDSS as a JAVA prototype application. We extracted 5,926 concepts, 15 properties, and formally represented them using Protégé. An ontology-based CDSS for IBADDM was implemented and the evaluation score was 4.60 out of 5. We endeavored to map functions of a CDSS and implement an ontology-based CDSS for IBADDM.