Ingestion Of Meal Research Articles

Effect of acute meal and long-term intake of a Mediterranean Diet providing different amounts of carbohydrates on physical performance and biomarkers in non-professional strength athletes

The study aims to evaluate the effect of an acute meal and long-term intake of Mediterranean Diet (MD) on different parameters such as strength, physical performance, body composition and blood markers in a group of non-professional athletes who practice a strength activity. Thirteen volunteers completed two 8-week dietary interventions in a randomised, cross-over design. Also an acute study was performed. Subjects received a MD High in carbohydrates, characterised by at least five portions of pasta/week and an average 55–60% of daily energy derived from carbohydrates, versus an MD reduced in carbohydrates, with less than two portions of pasta/week and an average of 40–45% of daily energy provided by carbohydrates. Mainly, data did not show significant differences for the parameters analysed, except for Elbow Flexor maximum voluntary contraction (p = .039). Results enlighten that increasing total carbohydrates intake, as typically in the MD, does not negatively affect physical performance, body composition and strength.

The C-terminal region of the Plasmodium berghei gamete surface 184-kDa protein Pb184 contributes to fertilization and male gamete binding to the residual body

BackgroundMalaria, a global health concern, is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus, which undergo gametogenesis in the midgut of mosquitoes after ingestion of an infected blood meal. The resulting male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote, which differentiates into a motile ookinete. After traversing the midgut epithelium, the ookinete differentiates into an oocyst on the basal side of the epithelium.MethodsMembrane proteins with increased gene expression levels from the gamete to oocyst stages in P. berghei were investigated utilizing PlasmoDB, the functional genomic database for Plasmodium spp. Based on this analysis, we selected the 184-kDa membrane protein, Pb184, for further study. The expression of Pb184 was further confirmed through immunofluorescence staining, following which we examined whether Pb184 is involved in fertilization using antibodies targeting the C-terminal region of Pb184 and biotin-labeled C-terminal region peptides of Pb184.ResultsPb184 is expressed on the surface of male and female gametes. The antibody inhibited zygote and ookinete formation in vitro. When mosquitoes were fed on parasite-infected blood containing the antibody, oocyst formation decreased on the second day after feeding. Synthesized biotin-labeled peptides matching the C-terminal region of Pb184 bound to the female gamete and the residual body of male gametes, and inhibited differentiation into ookinetes in the in vitro culture system.ConclusionsThese results may be useful for the further studying the fertilization mechanism of Plasmodium protozoa. There is also the potential for their application as future tools to prevent malaria transmission.Graphical

Fertility decline in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes is associated with reduced maternal transcript deposition and does not depend on female age.

Female mosquitoes undergo multiple rounds of reproduction known as gonotrophic cycles (GC). A gonotrophic cycle spans the period from blood meal intake to egg laying. Nutrients from vertebrate host blood are necessary for completing egg development. During oogenesis, a female prepackages mRNA into her oocytes, and these maternal transcripts drive the first 2 h of embryonic development prior to zygotic genome activation. In this study, we profiled transcriptional changes in 1-2 h of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) embryos across 2 GC. We found that homeotic genes which are regulators of embryogenesis are downregulated in embryos from the second gonotrophic cycle. Interestingly, embryos produced by Ae. aegypti females progressively reduced their ability to hatch as the number of GC increased. We show that this fertility decline is due to increased reproductive output and not the mosquitoes' age. Moreover, we found a similar decline in fertility and fecundity across 3 GC in Aedes albopictus. Our results are useful for predicting mosquito population dynamics to inform vector control efforts.

A Novel Nutraceutical Supplement Lowers Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Levels upon a Carbohydrate-Rich Meal or Sucrose Drink Intake in Healthy Individuals-A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Feeding Study.

Alkaloid- and polyphenol-rich white mulberry leaf and apple peel extracts have been shown to have potential glucose-lowering effects, benefitting the control of postprandial blood glucose levels. This study aimed to determine the effect of the combination of Malus domestica peel and Morus alba leaf extracts (GLUBLOCTM) on postprandial blood glucose and insulin-lowering effects in healthy adults after a carbohydrate-rich meal or sucrose drink intake. This study was designed as a randomized, crossover, single-blinded clinical trial. Out of 116 healthy participants, 85 subjects (aged 18-60 years) completed the day 1 and 5 crossover study. On day 1, subjects were supplemented with a placebo or GLUBLOCTM tablet 10 min before the carbohydrate-rich meal (300 g of tomato rice) or sucrose drink intake (75 g of sucrose dissolved in 300 mL water). On day 5, the treatments were crossed over, and the same diet was followed. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels were measured on days 1 and 5 (baseline 0, post-meal 30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Differences in iAUC, Cmax, and Tmax were determined between the placebo and GLUBLOCTM-treated cohorts. Significant changes in total iAUC (0-120 min), Cmax, and Tmax of postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels were noticed upon GLUBLOCTM supplementation. The percentage reduction in the iAUC of blood glucose levels was 49.78% (iAUC0-60min) and 43.36% (iAUC0-120min), respectively, compared with the placebo in the sucrose drink intake study. Similarly, there was a 41.13% (iAUC0-60min) and 20.26% (iAUC0-120min) glucose-lowering effect compared with the placebo in the carbohydrate-rich meal intake study. Premeal supplementation with GLUBLOCTM significantly reduced the postprandial surge in blood glucose and insulin levels after a carbohydrate-rich meal or sucrose drink intake over 120 min in healthy individuals. This study proves that GLUBLOCTM can manage steady postprandial blood glucose levels.

Effects of Postprandial Factors and Second Meal Intake Time on Bioequivalence Investigation of Tadalafil-Loaded Orodispersible Films in Human Volunteers.

Tadalafil (TD) has poor water solubility but is well absorbed without affecting food intake when administered orally. Owing to patient adherence and therapeutic characteristics, a TD-loaded orodispersible film (TDF) is preferable. However, the mechanistic role of dietary status on the clinical pharmacokinetic analysis of TDF in human volunteers should be investigated because the gastrointestinal environment varies periodically according to meal intervals, although commercial 20 mg TD-loaded tablets (TD-TAB, Cialis® tablet) may be taken with or without food. TDF was prepared by dispersing TD in an aqueous solution and polyethylene glycol 400 to ensure good dispersibility of the TD particles. In the fasting state, each T/R of Cmax and AUC between TD-TAB and TDF showed bioequivalence with 0.936-1.105 and 1.012-1.153, respectively, and dissolution rates in 1000 mL water containing 0.5% SLS were equivalent. In contrast, TDF was not bioequivalent to TD-TAB under the fed conditions by the Cmax T/R of 0.610-0.798. The increased dissolution rate of TDF via the micronization of drug particles and the reduced viscosity of the second meal content did not significantly affect the bioequivalence. Interestingly, an increase in second meal intake time from 4 h to 6 h resulted in the bioequivalence by the Cmax T/R of 0.851-0.998 of TD-TAB and TDF. The predictive diffusion direction model for physical digestion of TD-TAB and TDF in the stomach after the first and second meal intake was successfully simulated using computational fluid dynamics modeling, accounting for the delayed drug diffusion of TDF caused by prolonged digestion of stomach contents under postprandial conditions.

The ‘Carrot Test’: An approach to characterize individual differences in oral processing behaviour and eating rate

BackgroundEating rate is a modifiable risk factor for obesity and efficient methods to objectively characterise an individual’s oral processing behaviours could help better identify people at risk of increased energy consumption. Many previous approaches to characterise oral processing and eating rate have relied on specialised equipment or wearable devices that are time consuming, expensive or require expertise to administer. The current trial used video-coding of the consumption of a standardised test food (the ‘carrot test’) to measure oral processing. ObjectiveWe sought (i) to test whether self-reported eating rate (SRER) is predictive of food oral processing derived from coded eating behaviours captured in the laboratory with a standardised test food, and (ii) to test whether differences in SRER are predictive of oral processing behaviours, eating rate and intake of a test meal. MethodsTwo hundred and fifty-three volunteers (86 male and 167 female, mean age 39.5 ± 13.6 years, mean BMI 22.2 ± 3.4 kg/m2) provided their SRER and anthropometric measurements of height, weight and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) percentage fat mass. Participants were also video recorded eating a fixed 50 g portion of carrot and an ad libitum lunch meal of fried rice. Average eating rate (g/min), bite size (g) and number of chews per bite for the carrot and lunch were derived through behavioural coding of the videos. Energy intake (kcal) was recorded at lunch and a later afternoon snack. ResultsFaster SRER significantly predicted faster eating rate, larger bite size and more chews per bite observed during intake of the carrot (ß = −0.26–0.21, p ≤ 0.001) and the lunch (ß = −0.26–0.35, p ≤ 0.014). SRER did not significantly predict intake at lunch or during the afternoon snack (ß = 0.05–0.07, p ≥ 0.265). Participants’ oral processing of the carrot significantly predicted oral processing of the lunch (ß = −0.25–0.40, p ≤ 0.047) and faster eating rate of the carrot significantly predicted increased lunch intake (ß = 0.119, p = 0.045). None of the oral processing behaviours predicted afternoon snack intake (ß = −0.01–0.05, p ≥ 0.496). None of these associations were moderated by BMI or body composition. ConclusionWe confirm that SRER is a valid measure of group level differences in individual oral processing behaviours, but did not predict an individual’s energy intake at a lunch-time meal. With this approach, it is possible to characterise differences in eating rate by coding eating behaviours for a standardized test food (in this case, a fixed portion of raw carrot). This approach could be used to provide an objective measure of a person’s habitual oral processing behaviour, and was shown to be a significant predictor of eating rate and energy intake for a later test meal.

Genetic parameters of feeding behaviour traits in ducks bred for foie gras production

The mule duck accounts for over 90% of French foie gras production, a sector where feed represents two-thirds of production costs. This study focuses on analysing the feeding behaviours of the mule duck and its parental populations (Pekin and Muscovy) using automated feeders. To assess feed efficiency, feed conversion ratio and residual feed intake were analysed, along with six traits derived at the daily and meal levels. Genetic parameters were estimated separately in purebred populations, as well as with a joint crossbred model that estimated the parental contributions to the hybrid crossbred performances. In relation to higher feed intakes and much−reduced feeding times (P < 0.001), the feeding rate in the Pekin population was twice as high as in the Muscovy population (19 g/min vs 9 g/min), while the mule duck exhibited a large heterosis for this trait (29 g/min). Feeding traits exhibited moderate (0.38 ± 0.11) to high (0.65 ± 0.11) heritabilities. Similar correlation patterns were observed between feeding traits in the two parental populations. In the Pekin line, the feed conversion ratio did not significantly correlate with feeding traits except for daily feed intake. However, in the Muscovy population, it was negatively correlated with the number of meals (−0.51 ± 0.21) and positively with meal feed intake and meal duration (+0.79 ± 0.17 and + 0.71 ± 0.26, respectively). The contributions of the two parental species to the hybrid’s performance differed, with the Pekin contributing more to feeding and meat traits compared to the Muscovy. They were similar only for liver weight. Additionally, unfavourable correlations between meat traits and liver traits were estimated in both pathways. Genetic relationships between feeding traits and slaughter traits varied by parental origin, suggesting different strategies for improving hybrid performance in the two parental species. However, in both pathways, genetic correlations between feed conversion ratio and meat traits (breast muscle and thigh weights) were favourable (<−0.42 ± 0.18), whereas they were unfavourable (>0.41 ± 0.20) for fatty liver weight. Altogether, improving liver traits and feed efficiency in the hybrid through selection in the parental populations could be enhanced by considering feeding traits recorded with electronic feeders, provided that adverse correlations are properly accounted for in a multitrait index.

Prescription Pattern of Anamorelin; a Therapeutic Agent for Cancer Cachexia.

Background: The commercial availability of anamorelin, Japan's first therapeutic agent for cancer cachexia in 2021, led to an investigation into its prescription patterns at Toyama University Hospital. Objective: We aimed to analyze anamorelin prescription trends and outcomes among cancer cachexia patients. Methods: A retrospective study from July 2021 to December 2022 examined 88 cases, assessing demographics, cancer types, prescription locations, and meal intake changes. Results: Anamorelin usage was predominant during chemotherapy, especially for pancreatic cancer in outpatient settings. Approximately 30% experienced increased meal intake. Chemotherapy-initiated cases had a longer median duration (55 days) compared with best supportive care only cases (12 days). Conclusion: Anamorelin demonstrated significant prescription patterns, particularly during chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer in outpatient settings, suggesting potential efficacy enhancements when administered with chemotherapy in cancer cachexia management. The study underscores the importance of tailored approaches to optimize anamorelin's therapeutic benefits.

Dietary Diversity among Students of Khulna University, Bangladesh

Abstract Background: A healthy diet is a fundamental component of a healthy lifestyle, with dietary diversity being a crucial aspect of nutritious diets. Undergraduate students often exhibit inadequate dietary habits due to insufficient parental monitoring, lack of understanding of nutrition and proper eating habits, and the stress associated with academic, professional, and social obligations. Objective: This study aimed to measure the dietary diversity of the university students and to determine the factors associated with dietary diversity. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 240 students from Khulna University, Bangladesh. Dietary diversity was chosen as the dependent variable measure on the standard dietary diversity scale (DDS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The DDS comprises nine food group markers, with possible scores ranging 0–9. Each food group item consumed is given a score of 1, and the maximum score a respondent can achieve on any one day is 9. Independent variables included demographic and socioeconomic factors, diet patterns, and intake of main meals in the last 24 hours. The respondents were selected by a simple random sampling method and the data were gathered via a questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and binary logistic regression were conducted for data analysis. Results: The study assessed the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity among students, revealing that 55.8% had a sufficient dietary diversity score, while 44.2% scored poorly. Notably, students aged 21–25 years exhibited greater dietary diversity, particularly those in the third year of graduation or pursuing master’s degrees. The majority of these students hailed from urban areas (60.8%), consumed three main meals a day, and had notable snacking habits. Snacking choices varied with responses, including fast food, beverages, chocolates, biscuits, and fruits. Notably, 47.1% of students addressed their immediate hunger based on availability, whereas 33% admitted to skipping breakfast within the last 24 hours. These factors emerged as influential contributors to the prevalence of dietary diversity. Conclusion: The study revealed that nearly half of the students had poor dietary diversity, which signifies a critical problem. University administrations and policymakers are urged to consider the demographic and socioeconomic conditions of students and take necessary measures to improve their dietary patterns, ultimately enhancing overall dietary habits.

In silico validation of a customizable fully-autonomous artificial pancreas with coordinated insulin, glucagon and rescue carbohydrates

Artificial pancreas systems should be designed considering different patient profiles, which is challenging from a control theory perspective. In this paper, a flexible-hybrid dual-hormone control algorithm for an artificial pancreas is proposed. The algorithm handles announced/unannounced meals by means of a non-interacting feedforward scheme that safely incorporates prandial boluses. Also, a coordination strategy is employed to distribute the counter-regulatory actions, which can be delivered as a continuous glucagon infusion via an automated pump, as an oral rescue carbohydrate recommendation, or as a rescue glucagon dose recommendation to be administrated through a glucagon pen. The different configurations of the proposed controller were evaluated in silico using a 14-day virtual scenario with random meal intakes and exercise sessions, achieving above 80% time-in-range and low time spent in hypoglycemia.

A Case of Food Poisoning Caused by &lt;i&gt;Campylobacter jejuni&lt;/i&gt; due to Ingestion of Undercooked Chicken Meal with Subsequent Development of Guillain–Barré Syndrome

A Case of Food Poisoning Caused by &lt;i&gt;Campylobacter jejuni&lt;/i&gt; due to Ingestion of Undercooked Chicken Meal with Subsequent Development of Guillain–Barré Syndrome

Retrospective case-control non-inferiority analysis of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in dogs undergoing mini-hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc disease.

Veterinary medicine has seen significant advancements in locoregional anaesthesia and pain management, including the emergence of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block. However, limited clinical evidence exists on its efficacy and safety. This study compares ultrasound-guided ESP block (ESP group) with an intraoperative intravenous ketamine infusion analgesic protocol (CRI group) in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy, focusing on intraoperative opioid consumption, cardiovascular response to surgical stimulation (CR), postoperative pain scores (PS), and postoperative opioid consumption. Retrospective, case-control, non-inferiority study conducted in a single centre. Data collected included demographics, bupivacaine dose, ESP block operator, intraoperative recorded variables (haemodynamic variables, CR, complications, rescue analgesia), pre- and postoperative analgesia, 24-hour PS and opioid administration, first food intake post-extubation and postoperative complications. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were applied. One-hundred dogs were included, 75 in the ESP group and 25 in the CRI group. Univariate analysis revealed no significant differences between treatment groups in terms of CR, PS, postoperative rescue analgesia, intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, or time to first meal intake. However, the multivariate regression analysis indicated that dogs receiving ketamine infusion had higher CR suspected to be nociception-related (p = 0.036), and higher postoperative opioid consumption (p = 0.013). Our study suggests that ultrasound-guided ESP block is as effective as intraoperative ketamine infusion providing perioperative analgesia in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar mini-hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disc disease. ESP group showed significantly lower CR suspected to be nociception-related intraoperatively and lower postoperative opioid consumption within the initial 24 hours.

The association between dietary meal intake habits and coronary artery stenosis and cardio-metabolic risk factors

Background and objectiveWe are not aware of studies examining the association between dietary meal intake habits (DMIH) and severity of coronary artery stenosis (CAS). This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between DMIH and the severity of CAS as well as cardiometabolic risk factors in adults undergoing coronary angiography.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was done on 720 patients undergoing coronary angiography (aged 35–75 years) who were admitted to Afshar Hospital, a referral hospital for cardiovascular diseases in Yazd, Iran. Data on DMIH were gathered by interview. Blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis. Blood pressure, anthropometric indices, and body composition were also evaluated. The relationship between DMIH and the severity of CAS [examined by angiography based on Gensini Score (GS) and Syntax Score (SS)] and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed using logistic regression and the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), respectively, in crude and multivariable adjusted models.ResultsAfter adjustment for all possible confounding variables, the study revealed that people who ate 3 meals/day had a lower risk of severe CAS compared to people who ate 2 or fewer meals (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.88, P-trend = 0.02). There was an inverse association between the number of snacks /day and the severity of CAS (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.87, P-trend = 0.02). There was also an inverse relationship between breakfast frequency/week and the severity of CAS based on both GS and SS (P < 0.05). Breakfast consumption, meal frequency, lunch consumption, snack frequency, and more food consumption on holidays were also associated with different cardiometabolic markers and anthropometric measures (P < 0.05).ConclusionAccording to the results of the present study, meal frequency and breakfast consumption might be inversely associated with CAS and cardiometabolic risk factors.

The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on the Size and Number of Subcutaneus Adipocytes in Obese Mouse Models

Highlights:1. This study helps bridge the gap between systemic effects and tissue-level changes, providing a deeper understanding of how histological analysis can be used to explore the effects of intermittent fasting on adipocytes and body weight regulation.2. This study contributes to obesity management through lifestyle modification, specifically intermittent fasting, by focusing on histological changes in adipose tissue. Abstract The accumulation of adipose tissue can have deleterious effects and lead to obesity. Intermittent fasting (IF), an approach that involves time-restricted eating, has gained popularity as an obesity treatment option because it enhances insulin sensitivity and promotes beneficial changes in glucose metabolism. This study used a time-restricted meal intake (TRM) approach to assess the effects of IF on the histological features of obese mouse models' subcutaneous inguinal adipose tissue. The investigation employed an in vivo experimental posttest-only control group design. Twenty male mice were divided into four groups: a normal control group, an obese control group, a TRM group with a high-fat diet (TRM-HF), and a TRM group with a standard diet (TRM-S). The TRM treatment was administered for fourteen days, with a fasting window from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. The pre- and post-treatment weight analyses were conducted using the paired t-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon test for non-normally distributed data (p&lt;0.05). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for unpaired data on the post-treatment weight. Per field of view, there were an average of 120,500 cells (49,700–136,200) in the normal control group, 68,380±9,194 cells in the obese control group, 70,860±11,029 cells in the TRM-HF group, and 79,360±5,112 cells in the TRM-S group. The average cell sizes (μm3) were 56,730.142±19,273.257 in the normal control group, 138,934.331±27,670.558 in the obese control group, 106,827.767±20,580.501 in the TRM-HF group, and 68,689.114±8,219.727 in the TRM-S group. The number of cells in each group did not differ significantly, but there were significant variations in cell size. The mice receiving TRM treatment did not exhibit substantial body weight changes, whereas the obese control group showed a significant body weight increase. In conclusion, TRM has an effect on cell size but does not affect the quantity of adipocytes in subcutaneous inguinal fat tissue.

Disturbances in dynamics of glucose, insulin and C-peptide in blood after a normalized intake of mixed meal in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of the study is to investigate the dynamics of venous blood glucose, insulin, and C-peptide in response to intake a meal normalized to body mass in obese patients without and with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Venous blood samples were taken from 7 healthy subjects, 9 obese patients, and 10 obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean period of diagnosed diabetes 7 years) before and 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min after a mixed meal (6 kcal/kg of body mass); additionally, 9 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and 3 healthy volunteers completed a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test. In patient groups the energy content of food did not differ, but was 1.8 times higher than in the control. An increase in glucose level one hour after a meal was maximal in patients with type 2 diabetes, but an increase in insulin and C-peptide — in obese patients, that related to impairment of insulin-dependent glucose uptake by tissues and of the rate of insulin secretion (dysfunction of â-cells) in patients. At the same time, an increase in the total area under the curve “C-peptide–time” shows that the maximum secretory response of â-cells is comparable in obese patients without and with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The absolute blood glucose level 90 minutes after a meal was closely correlated with the M-index — the marker of systemic sensitivity to insulin (rs = –0.82, p = 0.002). Our results characterize the features in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism after intake a mixed meal, normalized to body mass, in people with the varying severity of metabolic disorders, and open up prospects for a wider application of this test in practice.

Passive overconsumption? Limited evidence of compensation in meal size when consuming foods high in energy density: Two randomised crossover experiments

Research has drawn contradictory conclusions as to whether humans adjust meal size based on meal energy density (ED) or exhibit ‘passive overconsumption’. Recent observational research has suggested that meal EDs greater than 1.7–2 kcal/g are compensated for through consumption of smaller meal sizes. We tested the relationship between ED and meal size by examining energy intake of meals at three levels of ED: low (∼1.0 kcal/g), medium (1.7–2.0 kcal/g) and high (>3.0 kcal/g). Two randomised, crossover experiments were conducted with adult participants. In experiment 1 (n = 34, 62% female, mean age 37.4 years), participants were served a lunch including a familiar low, medium or high ED dessert to eat ad libitum. In experiment 2 (n = 32, 66% female, mean age 36.4 years), participants were served a lunch meal manipulated to be low, medium or high ED to eat ad libitum. For experiment 2, later energy intake (post-meal energy intake) was also measured. In experiment 1, participants consumed a similar amount of energy from the low vs. medium ED food. The high ED food was associated with an increased intake of approximately 240 kcals compared to medium (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 2.31) and low (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 4.42) ED foods. In experiment 2, there were no significant differences in meal size (grams) between ED meals, resulting in a largely linear relationship between meal ED and energy intake across the three ED conditions (‘passive overconsumption’). There were no differences in later energy intake between ED conditions. Contrary to recent suggestions, foods higher in ED were not associated with adjustments to meal size and were associated with increased energy intake across two experiments. Reformulation of foods high in ED may be an effective population level approach to reducing energy intake and obesity.Clinical trial registry number: NCT05744050; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05744050.

Fatally impaired glucose digestion by propylene glycol in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and co-formulation with terpenoids for enhancing attractive toxic sugar baits.

Propylene glycol (PG) demonstrates greater efficacy than other sugar polyols. However, the attributes it confers for toxicity and possible co-formulation with other ingredients are unknown. To evaluate this, α-glucosidase and glucose oxidase reactions were performed in Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) to categorize if PG behaves similarly to prior studied sugar alcohols. A combination of no-choice and choice assays was used to determine effective ratios of PG and sucrose, competitiveness against a control of 10% sucrose, and whether mosquitoes recovered from PG consumption. The final trials included β-cyclodextrin encapsulated cinnamon leaf oil, clove stem oil, patchouli oil, garlic oil, cedarwood oil, and papaya seed oil formulated with 5% sucrose + 5% PG. PG functioned as a linear competitive inhibitor of α-glucosidase. The efficacy of PG was synergized by co-ingestion with equivalent ratios of sucrose. Unlike the high diuretic response to other sugar alcohols, PG resulted in diminished excretion regardless of being co-formulated with sucrose or terpenoids. PG is not especially competitive against unadulterated sugar meals but is likewise not clearly repellent. Although mosquitoes did not recover from ingestion of the glycol meals, there was no indication that mortality would continue to accumulate once the treatments were removed. Of the terpenoids tested, cinnamon and patchouli caused ~50% or less mortality; garlic, cedarwood, and clove caused 80-90% mortality; and papaya seed caused 100% mortality, exceeding all other test groups and the formulation blank. PG is a useful supporting ingredient in attractive toxic sugar bait formulations with flexibility in formulation.

Social norms and young adults’ self-reported meat and plant-based meal intake: Findings from two online cross-sectional studies

Plant-based eating is beneficial for human and planetary health. It is important to identify factors which may encourage people to reduce meat, and increase plant-based meal intake. Perceived social norms are associated with meat and plant-based meal intake in adults, however, less is known about the relationship between perceived social norms and young adults' own self-reported meat and plant-based eating in general, and in different social contexts. Across two online studies we examined this. In Study 1 (n = 217 young adults, aged 18–25 years, mean age = 19.50 years, SD = 1.37 years, mean BMI = 24.21, SD = 5.45, 91% cisfemale, 92.0% omnivores), perceived descriptive (the perceived behaviour of others) and injunctive (the perceived approval of others) norms were measured in general. In study 2 (n = 151 young adults aged 18–25 years, mean age = 19.62 years, SD = 1.50 years, mean BMI = 24.32, SD = 4.99, 88.8% cisfemale, 71.1% omnivore), perceived descriptive and injunctive norms were examined in a variety of social contexts. In Study 1, perceived descriptive norms about friends were associated with self-reported meat, and descriptive norms about peers and friends, and injunctive norms about friends were positively associated with self-reported plant-based meal intake. In Study 2, descriptive norms about friends were associated with self-reported meat intake in fast-food restaurants and at friends' houses, and injunctive norms about friends were associated with meat intake in restaurants. There were no other significant associations between either type of social norm and meat or plant-based meal intake. We provide the first evidence that peers and friends may be relevant for plant-based meal intake, and only friends may be relevant for meat intake. Further research is needed to examine people's actual food intake, and in longitudinal studies to rule out reverse causality.

Review of Metabolic Syndrome (Santarpana Janya Vyadhi) and its Management by Virechana Karma and Vyoshadi Saktu

Ayurveda, considered the oldest form of healthcare globally, aligns individuals with the inherent principles of nature to maintain overall well-being by harmonizing body, mind, and spirit. In the contemporary age of rapid modernization and hectic lifestyles, people lead busy and stressful lives, marked by a growing consumption of high-calorie fast food. The prevalence of sedentary habits contributes to an increase in total body fat and cholesterol. It leads to health issues such as hypertension, heart diseases, hyperlipidemia, and truncal obesity. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disorder of energy and storage containing of risk factor for various complications such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardio vascular disease. Being an alarming disease, it requires effective management. In recent years several synthetic drugs have been introduced for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Clinical trials have shown that antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antilipidemic drugs alone have limited long term efficacy and one cannot avoid major side effects such as drug dependence, drug resistance, sedation etc. Ayurvedic medicine provides a range of measures. In Ayurvedic literature, Acharya Charaka has mentioned group of diseases which arises due to over intake of heavy meals and sedentary life style collectively called as Santarpana Janya Vyadhi which can be symptomatically co-related with metabolic syndrome. Acharya Charaka has specified treatment methods involving substances (Dravyabhuta Chikitsa) and non-substances (Adravyabhuta Chikitsa) for conditions caused by over-nourishment, such as Vaman, Virechana, Raktmokshana, Vyayama (exercise), Dhooma(fumigation), Swedana(sudation), and Rooksha Anna Sewana (intake of dry substances). This paper aims to review metabolic syndrome in Ayurveda and its corresponding management strategies.

PSIV-A-8 Effects of meal frequency on heart rate in horses

Abstract In humans, meal size has been shown to affect heart function with meal ingestion being associated with an increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac output lasting significantly longer when larger meals are consumed. In horses, HR spikes at the sight of feed due to anticipation, but no studies have specifically evaluated the effect of meal frequency or size on HR. Heart rate has also been used as a measure both positive and negative stress. Domesticated horses are often meal fed, with small frequent meals requiring more labor than large infrequent meals. Fewer larger meals may have negative welfare implications for a grazing species. As part of a larger project investigating the effects of meal frequency on the behavior and metabolism of horses, the objective of this study was to evaluate equine HR in response to feeding frequencies commonly practiced in the field [once (1x), twice (2x), or thrice (3x) per day]. Feeding times were at 0800 (1x, 2x, and 3x), 1300 (3x), and 1800 (2x and 3x) h. The 12 adult clinically healthy horses [average ± SD; 14 ± 6 yr and 572 ± 32 kg body weight (BW)] were separated into two equal groups before completing a 14-d acclimation period to the diet during which they were fed 2x. The diet was provided at 2% BW on a dry matter (DM) basis (1.55% BW grass hay in a slow feed hay net plus 0.45% BW complementary fortified feed). During the study the same diet was fed but the meal frequency, and therefore meal size, differed between the treatments. The order of treatments, lasting 1 wk each, was decided at random for each group. On d 6 of each treatment HR was measured using individual H10 Polar HR monitors, which recorded every second from 0700 to 1900 h yielding 1,514,799 data points. During this time the aisleways housing the stalled horses were blocked off to minimize exposure to human presence other than at feeding time(s). After removing outliers, the mode was calculated for HR of each horse, which was considered to be the resting HR for that horse and ranged from 31 to 46 beats/min. The percentage of data above, below, or at the mode was calculated for each horse over the 12 h period and evaluated using Chi Square tests for statistical significance. The proportion of HR values above, below, or at the mode differed between treatments (P = 0.02). When fed 1x, 69 ± 14% of the HR readings were above the mode on average, as compared with 42 ± 18% and 44 ± 18% for 2x and 3x, respectively. These results suggest that the increase in HR was more than anticipatory and that there may be sustained stress when horses are fed at fewer frequency, such as once daily.