Amount Of Diet Research Articles

Removal of sorghum stover from feed choices has no confounding effect on the quantity and quality of diets selected by group or individually fed sheep

ABSTRACT The study determined the effect of reducing dietary ingredients and group feeding on diet selection, nutrient intake and digestibility in choice-fed sheep. Three feeds comprising of veld hay (VH), sorghum stover (SS) and maize stover (MS) were offered ad-libitum while lucerne hay (LH) and bean straw (BS) were offered at restriction. Twelve sheep were allocated into three groups (i) group-fed in 3 sheep per pen, (ii) individually fed and, (iii) individually fed with SS exclusion. Sheep were rotated across the groups in four periods of 10 days. Diet selected, intake, refusals, spillages and faeces were monitored for seven days. The proportion of BS and LH consumed did not differ between group-fed and individually fed sheep with or without SS inclusion. Intake of MS and SS was lower in individually fed sheep while intake of VH was higher (p < 0.05). The proportion of BS and MS selected among individually fed sheep was similar with or without SS inclusion (p > 0.05). Diet selection was influenced by group feeding, but not the removal of SS. The scarcity of one dietary component may not result in the selection of undesired but available feeds if the quality is similar or poorer to the absent feed.

COVID-19 restrictions: impact on obesity in people with severe mental health conditions

Background: Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic’s negative impacts on the general population’s mental health have become apparent to both experts and laymen alike; the effects on adults with severe mental illness (SMI), and particularly the impacts on their nutritional and physical health, have been overlooked. Accordingly, this commentary will discuss and raise awareness of the impact on weight management and dietary intake foradults with SMI.&#x0D; Methods: This commentary article was borne out of discussions between academics, clinicians, and an expert by experience as part of wider survey research exploring supporting adults with severe mental illness to manage their weight.&#x0D; Results and discussion: This commentary discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inpatients with severe mental illness, but also reflects on wider infrastructure and systemic issues that highlight difficulties faced by service users to manage both their weight and mental illness. For instance, socioeconomicimpacts contribute to poverty and food insecurity which affects access to dietary quantity and nutritional quality. Distancing and restriction measures affect community-based service users’ access to both physical and mental healthcare and may precipitate relapse of mental health difficulties. Additionally, iatrogenic and psychologically driven weight gain coupled with disruption of regular weight monitoring may lead toincreasing diabesity rates.&#x0D; Conclusion: Obesity is a multifaceted issue with a cause and effect that is complex, particularly for those with severe mental illness who may face particular barriers to receiving both physical and mental health support, which can impact on their weight management.

Evaluation of the Healthy Eating Index-Toddlers-2020.

With the addition of new guidance for children from birth to 24 months in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 (DGA), a Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was developed for toddlers. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the HEI-Toddlers-2020, 5 analyses relevant to construct and concurrent validity and 2 related to reliability were examined. Twenty-four-hour diet recall data from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018) were used. In addition, exemplary menus were analyzed. The main analytic sample included toddlers aged 12 through 23 months (n= 838), with additional analyses of toddlers aged 12 through 35 months (n= 1,717) from the United States. Included participants had valid diet recalls and available weight-for-age data. Outcomes measures included HEI-Toddlers-2020 total and component scores on menus, population distributions, and correlations. HEI total and component scores were calculated using menus from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Healthy Eating Research. Score means and distributions were estimated using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2011-2018). Principal component analysis explored dimensions and Pearson correlations examined components, energy, and Cronbach α. In addition, HEI-Toddlers-2020 and HEI-2020 scores were compared for identical intakes at age 24 months. For validity, exemplary menus received high scores with the HEI-Toddlers-2020. The mean ± SE total HEI-Toddlers-2020 score for toddlers aged 12 through 23 months was 62.9 ± 0.78 and ranged from 40.1 to 84.4 (1st to 99th percentile). Correlation between diet quality and diet quantity was low (-0.15); the scree plot revealed multiple factors. In addition, total scores for identical intakes were approximately 1.5 points higher for HEI-Toddlers-2020 compared with HEI-2020 (difference range for component scores, -4.97 to 4.89). For reliability, most of the intercorrelations among components were low to moderate (0 to 0.49), with a few exceptions among related components. Cronbach α was .48. These results indicate that the index is multidimensional, with no single component driving the total score, and no unnecessary components that are highly correlated with another component. The results demonstrated evidence supportive of validity and reliability. The HEI-Toddlers-2020 can be used to assess alignment with the DGA for toddlers.

The notorious daredevils: potential toxic levels of cyanide and heavy metals in cassava flour sold in selected markets—taken Oke Ogun Community, Oyo State as an example

Pollution spread throughout terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and many remain transported around the globe by air transport. Furthermore, food as well as production chains remain dispersed through the global economy. Thus, the current study examined the potentially harmful amounts of cyanide as well as trace metals in cassava flour sold in Oke Ogun community township markets. Its goal was to quantify the degrees of Lead, Cyanide, Arsenic and Chromium, evaluate their health impacts on customers, and evaluate WHO-allowable dietary quantities. Using a stratified sampling strategy, five township markets were visited to obtain samples of finely ground fermented cassava flour (Kishi, Igbeti, Igboho, Iseyin, and Shaki). The materials were properly digested before being examined with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Lead (0.028–0.053 mg/L), Cyanides (0.010–0.018 mg/L), Chromium (0.034–0.065 mg/L) and Arsenic (0.006–0.012 mg/L), were the results obtained. At conclusion, due to the lower content of these metals, the cassava flour sold in Oke Ogun community markets is safe as well as appropriate for human utilization, with no nutritional risk consequences. As a result, it is advised that cassava flour marketed be closely checked and assessed on a continuous basis. Therefore, regular monitoring of toxic metals in Nigeria is strongly advised in order to avoid a significant environmental and public health issue.

Investigating the influence of diet diversity on infection outcomes in a bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) and microsporidian (Nosema bombi) host-pathogen system.

Diet can have an array of both direct and indirect effects on an organism's health and fitness, which can influence the outcomes of host-pathogen interactions. Land use changes, which could impact diet quantity and quality, have imposed foraging stress on important natural and agricultural pollinators. Diet related stress could exacerbate existing negative impacts of pathogen infection. Accounting for most of its nutritional intake in terms of protein and many micronutrients, pollen can influence bee health through changes in immunity, infection, and various aspects of individual and colony fitness. We investigate how adult pollen consumption, pollen type, and pollen diversity influence bumble bee Bombus impatiens survival and infection outcomes for a microsporidian pathogen Nosema (Vairimorpha) bombi. Experimental pathogen exposures of larvae occurred in microcolonies and newly emerged adult workers were given one of three predominantly monofloral, polyfloral, or no pollen diets. Workers were assessed for size, pollen consumption, infection 8-days following adult-eclosion, survival, and the presence of extracellular microsporidian spores at death. Pollen diet treatment, specifically absence of pollen, and infection independently reduced survival, but we saw no effects of pollen, pollen type, or pollen diet diversity on infection outcomes. The latter suggests infection outcomes were likely already set, prior to differential diets. Although infection outcomes were not altered by pollen diet in our study, it highlights both pathogen infection and pollen availability as important for bumble bee health, and these factors may interact at different stages of bumble bee development, at the colony level, or under different dietary regimes.

Dietary Probiotic Supplementation; Effects on Fecundity and Relationship with Biometric Parameters of Clarias gariepinus

The implications of probiotics in aquaculture including host health, reproductive development, welfare and nutrition has driven the demand for commercial probiotics for use in aquaculture operations either as feed supplements or through direct application. This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of varying dietary amounts of probiotic supplements on C. gariepinus. Five isonitrogenous diets (42% crude protein) were supplemented with probiotics as follows: Feed A (0 g/kg TPS), Feed B (0.5 g/kg TPS), Feed C (1.0 g/kg TPS), Feed D (1.5 g/kg TPS) and Feed E (2 g/kg TPS) and fed to the experimental fishes in triplicate groups for 38 weeks. Results obtained showed that there was no significant difference in mean fecundity between fish fed the control and probiotic-enriched diets (P &gt; 0.05), with diet B containing 0.5 g/kg Taslyprobiotics having the highest fecundity (61,714.00 ± 4,469.43 eggs) and diet C (1.0 g) having the lowest fecundity (49,568.14 ± 3,920.68 eggs). There was a linear relationship between fecundity of Clarias gariepinus with all body parameters such as body weight, ovary weight, and total length and fecundity of female fish.In addition, a positive and significant correlation was obtained between fecundity and all body parameters. Additionally, there was no uniform increase in fecundity with increasing dietary probiotic inclusion level. In conclusion, probiotics supplementation in diets may boost fecundity but increase in probiotic dietary inclusion level will not result in a corresponding increase in fecundity of C. gariepinus.

A first model of the fate of dietary calcium and phosphorus in broiler chickens

To reduce P excretion and increase the sustainability of poultry farms, one needs to understand the mechanisms surrounding P metabolism and its close link with Ca metabolism to precisely predict the fate of dietary P and Ca and related requirements for birds. This study describes and evaluates a model developed to estimate the fate of Ca and P consumed by broilers. The Ca and P model relies on three modules: (1) digestion of Ca and P; (2) dynamics of Ca and P in soft tissue and feathers; and (3) dynamics of body ash. Exogenous phytase affects the availability of Ca and P; thus, to predict the absorption of those minerals, the model also accounts for the effect of phytase on Ca and P digestibility. We used a database to estimate the consequences of dietary Ca, P, and phytase over feed intake response. This study followed a four-step process: (1) Ca and P model development and its coupling with a growth broiler model; (2) model behavior assessment; (3) sensitivity analysis to identify the most influential parameters; and (4) external evaluation based on three databases. The proportion of P in body protein and the Ca to P ratio in bone are the most sensitive parameters of P deposition in soft tissue and bone, representing 91 and 99% of the total variation. The external evaluation results indicated that body water and protein had an overall mean square prediction error (rMSPE) of 7.22 and 12.3%, respectively. The prediction of body ash, Ca, and P had an rMSPE of 7.74, 11.0, and 6.56%, respectively, mostly errors of disturbances (72.5, 51.6, and 90.7%, respectively). The rMSPE for P balance was 13.3, 18.4, and 22.8%, respectively, for P retention, excretion, and retention coefficient, with respective errors due to disturbances of 69.1, 99.9, and 51.3%. We demonstrated a mechanistic model approach to predict the dietary effects of Ca and P on broiler chicken responses with low error, including detailed simulations to show the confidence level expected from the model outputs. Overall, this model predicts broilers’ response to dietary Ca and P. The model could aid calculations to minimize P excretion and reduce the impact of broiler production on the environment. A model inversion is ongoing that will enable the calculation of Ca and P dietary quantities for a specific objective. This will simplify the use of the model and the feed formulation process.

Factors Influencing the Knowledge Level of Fish Consumers: An Explanatory Analysis

Despite scientific proof of the benefits and effects of fish consumption on human health, most Indians consume less than the recommended dietary amounts. The current study attempted to assess the knowledge gap of fish eaters regarding the health and nutritional benefits, along with identifying the factors that directly and indirectly influence the knowledge level of fish consumers. The fish eaters were surveyed during the F.Y. 2021–2022 with representative samples of 934 fish consumers from across ten districts of the Gujarat state in western India. Fish consumers were found to have insufficient knowledge about health and nutritional benefits, which stalled the growth of fish consumption in the region. The significant factors influencing the knowledge level of fish consumers were education qualification, fish quality evaluation criteria, number of children in a family, years of fish consumption and family size. The consumers were found to place greater emphasis on the fish quality evaluation parameters such as smell, appearance, nutritional value, product price and freshness. The study’s outcomes suggested that mass awareness programs should be planned to achieve higher levels of fish consumption in the region and the country.

Diets of Men and Women in Rural Bangladesh Are Equitable but Suboptimal

BackgroundRecent evidence suggests that diet inequities between men and women may have diminished within rural Bangladeshi households. However, this has not been directly tested with appropriate physiologic adjustments and it is unclear whether changes have occurred across socioeconomic strata. Understanding intrahousehold dietary patterns at different points on the income and food-security distribution in rural Bangladesh—particularly, within ultrapoor and farm households—is important for appropriate design of gender-sensitive and nutrition-sensitive interventions, which often target these groups. ObjectiveUsing 2012 and 2016 data, we aimed to examine gender differences in diet quantity and quality among ultrapoor and farm households in rural Bangladesh. MethodsThe study used baseline 24-h dietary data from 2 randomized control trials conducted in rural Bangladesh: the Transfer Modality Research Initiative (ultrapoor households) and the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Gender Linkages project (farm households). Ordinary least squares regressions with household-level fixed effects tested for gender differences among constructed diet measures, such as caloric intake, caloric adequacy ratio, dietary diversity score, global diet quality score, and probability of consuming moderate or high levels of healthy food groups. ResultsIn both samples, on average, women consumed fewer calories than men in the same households but consumed near equal or more in reference to their caloric needs. Women scored <1% lower than men on diet quality indicators and showed similar probabilities to men of consuming healthy foods. Most men and women in both samples were calorically inadequate (>60%) and recorded poor diet quality scores that indicated high risk of nutrient inadequacy and chronic disease (>95%). ConclusionsIn both ultrapoor and farm households, although men record higher intake quantities and diet quality scores, the apparent male advantage disappear when energy requirements and the magnitudes of difference are considered. Diets of men and women in these rural Bangladeshi households are equitable but suboptimal.

Rural household food security status and its determinants in Libokemkem woreda of the Amhara region, North Western Ethiopia

The study analyses the household food security situation in Libokemkem woreda of the Amhara region in Ethiopia using 285 randomly selected sample households. The Household Calorie Acquisition (HCA) is used to measure the diet quantity aspect of food insecurity, and 225 kg/year/AE is used as a food security threshold. The Household Diet Diversity Score (HHDDS) is used to measure the diet quality aspect of food insecurity, and consuming four food groups is used as a food security line. Approximately 83 per cent of the total households achieved minimum food security status in terms of diet quantity, and 64 per cent were food secure in terms of diet quality. Determinants of food security in terms of diet quantity and quality were analysed using Tobit and logit regression models, respectively. Sex, family size, farm size, number of oxen, expenditure on agricultural technology, agroecology zone and distance from market centre are statistically significant determinants of food security in terms of diet quantity. On the other hand, sex, education status, off-farming activities, livestock ownership and agroecology zone are statistically significant determinants of food security in terms of diet quality or diversity. The study suggested the urgency of human capital development, increasing the production and productivity of major cereal crops, and promoting labour-intensive rural employment opportunities to break the vicious circle of poverty and food insecurity. It also suggested the promotion of soil and water conservation, livestock rearing and the use of organic fertiliser in highland areas, while mechanised farming for major crops such as rice, onion, chickpea, tomato and garlic is recommended for midland areas.

Aging out of WIC and child nutrition: Evidence from a regression discontinuity design

AbstractThe Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is the third largest food assistance program in the United States. Child participants lose WIC in the month following their fifth birthday. We use this exogenous program rule for identification and find diet quality declines nearly 20%, on average, for those who have yet to transition into kindergarten. Decreases are mainly driven by reduced consumption of healthier WIC‐targeted foods. A quantile regression discontinuity approach reveals children prone to lower quality diets experience the largest decreases in diet quality, reaching nearly 30%, whereas those prone to higher quality diets experience no aging‐out‐of‐WIC effects. There are no effects on calorie consumption, regardless of school attendance, indicating caregivers maintain diet quantity for children at the expense of diet quality. Policy implications include allowing children to stay on WIC until they enter kindergarten. We calculate back‐of‐the‐envelope program costs over the next 5 years for such a “kindergarten‐roll‐off” WIC policy under current rules and newly proposed rules to realign WIC packages with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under current rules, costs would average $112 million over the next 5 years (2024–2028), or about 2% of total program costs. Under proposed rule changes, kindergarten‐roll‐off costs would average $144 million per year, or 2.25% of total program costs.

The physiological role of carotenoids and their use in food technologies

Carotenoids are widely used and demanded as natural dyes in food technologies due to their biologically active properties. Due to antioxidant properties, carotenoids are widely used for the prevention and treatment of various human diseases, including oncological, cardiovascular, diabetes, etc. In addition, carotenoids are the main sources of vitamin A, which is not produced by the human body, but has a great influence on eye-sight, growth, development and reproductive function of the body. The purpose of the research is to analyze scientific and technical literature to determine the physiological function of carotenoids and the possibilities of their use in food technologies. Carotenoids enter the human body with food and their presence in sufficient quantities in the human diet ensures the normal functioning of the body. The issues of using lycopine and beta-carotene as food dyes and food additives in food technologies have been considered, as well as biologically active components when creating food products, including specialized, functional and personalized ones.The analysis of scientific information has shown that, due to their biological properties, carotenoids perform an important physiological function in a person’s life. The expansion of the area of their use determines the increase in the production of carotenoids and food using them. In accordance with this, studies in the field of improving existing technologies for obtaining carotenoids and expanding the raw material base are relevant, including the use of secondary resources of processing carotene -containing raw materials.

What Is the Relationship between the Chewing Ability and Nutritional Status of the Elderly in Korea?

This study aims to determine the relationship between chewing ability and the nutritional status of the elderly in Korea. This study utilized the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted from 2013–2018 for persons who were ≥65 years of age. Of the 7835 subjects, 43.2% had chewing difficulty. Compared to the normal group, the chewing difficulty group had more stress, lower exercise frequency, less snack intake, a lower frequency of eating out, and a higher proportion of food insecurity. The chewing difficulty group had significantly lower food intake compared to the normal group, including various food groups such as cereals and grain, potatoes, fruits, meat, and milks and dairy products. The intake of fresh fruits was 24.5% lower and the intake of plant food (fresh fruits and nonstarchy vegetables) was 17.8% lower in the chewing difficulty group compared to the normal group. In addition, the intake of most nutrients (carbohydrates, fat, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) was significantly lower in the chewing difficulty group than in the normal group. The chewing difficulty was significantly associated with undernutrition (OR = 1.63). In conclusion, chewing ability is closely related to food and nutrient intake among the elderly, which can decrease the quantity and quality of diet and is also related to undernutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to develop customized nutrition programs and aging-friendly food products that consider the chewing ability of the elderly.

Eating self-regulatory skill, diet quantity, and diet quality of Malaysian healthcare university students: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The ability to self-regulate eating can improve health. This study aimed to determine the relationship between eating self-regulatory skills, diet quantity, and diet quality among Malaysian university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 132 university students. Eating self-regulatory skill was assessed using the Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (SREBQ). Dietary intakes from two 24-hour dietary recalls were used to assess diet quantity and quality. Diet quantity was measured as energy and macronutrient intakes, analysed using NutritionistPro. Diet quality was measured using the Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (M-HEI). The relationship between eating self-regulatory skills, diet quantity, and diet quality were evaluated using tests for differences between means and multiple linear regression. Results: Male participants (n=47) consumed more energy than female participants (n=85) (Male: 1850±570 kcal/day, Female: 1596±567 kcal/day, p=0.015). Participants from the Nutrition and Dietetics (N&amp;D) course (n=49) had better M-HEI scores than participants from other health courses (n=83) (N&amp;D course: 52.7±10.5, non-N&amp;D course: 47.2±10.7, p=0.005). The predictors of energy intake were gender (β=-0.193, p=0.023) and SREBQ score (β=- 0.223, p=0.009). Being female and having higher eating self-regulatory skills were associated with lower energy intake. The predictors of diet quality were university course (β=0.240, p=0.005) and SREBQ score (β=0.181, p=0.033). Studying N&amp;D and having higher eating self-regulatory skills were associated with higher M-HEI scores. Conclusion: Higher self-regulation of eating behaviour score is a factor that contributes to lower daily energy intake and higher diet quality score.

Utilization of Natural Honey on Wound Healing in African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Siluriformes: Clariidae)

In Nigeria, the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus is one of the most widely cultivated fish species. It can be injured by cannibalism, high stocking density, or other means. If these injuries are not treated properly, the wounds could operate as a precursor to additional pathogen infection, causing stress, health problems, and loss of fish stocks. As a result, the ability of honey to cure wounds in African catfish was explored. Honey was added to a 40% crude protein meal at different inclusion levels of 0.0, 100, 150 and 200ml/kg diet. The lateral area (1 cm) of the fish model was lacerated after which the fish were fed varied quantities of honey-infused diets for 14 days. During this time weight gain and wound healing rate of the fish were monitored and measured. Results showed that fish fed diet containing 200ml/kg honey gained the most body weight (9.7g+3.60), while those fed the 0ml/kg honey diet recorded the least weight (5.1g+6.11). Fish fed low honey levels (0.00 and 100.00 ml/kg diet) required longer time to recover from their wounds completely, but those on a 200ml/kg honey diet recovered completely within the 14-day experimental period. From the results of this research, it is suggested that honey be included in fish diet at the rate of 200ml/kg of diet to accelerate wound healing and invariably boost fish recovery after injuries.

DIET AS A REMEDY FOR PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Background: Globalization of universe demands the uniform participation of genders as a workforce to accomplish the need of life and development. Women’s health issues are dragging forces in the race of life. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects the life periodically in reproductive age group. Globally, the prevalence of this problem is 30-40%, and in Pakistan, up to 55% females suffer from this problem. PMS symptoms include physical, mental and behavioral disturbances. Etiology of the disease is still unclear, but the hormonal impact is formulated. Diagnostic criteria and daily symptoms are used to make the diagnosis. Lifestyle modifications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medications and dietary role are recommended to alleviate the symptoms.&#x0D; Method: Review of Articles searched from PubMed and google scholar done. Heterogeneity in studies observed due to limited clinical trials on this issue. Studies from 2000 to 2017 published in journals included in it. Findings of the studies gave following conclusive results.&#x0D; Results: An effective quantity of diet is necessary to have exact amount of calcium, pyridoxine (Vit. B6) and chasteberry fruit which influence more efficiently and others. Quantity of each ingredient is identified in article. Saffron, ginger and high intake of Vitamin D show little benefits comparative to aforementioned.&#x0D; Conclusion: Appropriate dose/quantity of specific diet play role to ameliorate symptoms. Clinicians should counsel the patients that they can get relieved by the diet too.&#x0D; Keywords: Premenstrual syndrome, Dietary effect, Women’s health

Expressions of c-myc and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 mRNA in the Liver of Growing Rats Vary Reciprocally in Response to Changes in Dietary Protein , ,

To investigate molecular mechanisms of growth control by diets, we examined the effects of nutrition on the expression of c-myc and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) genes in the liver of growing rats. In the first study, rats were fed either a 24% casein, 24% zein or protein-free diet, or were starved for 3 d. The levels of the two mRNAs in the tissues were then determined by Northern blot hybridization. In the liver, levels of the two mRNAs varied in a reciprocal anner in response to changes in either quantity or quality of diet. The expression of c-myc mRNA was greatly enhanced by consumption of the protein-free diet or by starvation, whereas the IGF-1 mRNA levels were reduced markedly by consumption of the zein diet or the protein-free diet or by starvation. In another study, the casein and zein diets were fed to rats that had been adapted to a 2-h meal-feeding pattern, first with nonpurifled diet for 10 d and then with the protein-free diet for 3 d before the experiment. In rats fed casein, the level of c-myc mRNA decreased 75% within 8 h after consumption of the casein diet, whereas the IGF-1 mRNA level increased 100% during that period. Consumption of the zein diet did not affect the level of either mRNA. Because quantity of food intake did not differ between the rats fed casein and those fed zein, expression of the two genes in the liver was affected by the quality of the protein consumed. These results indicate that quality and quantity of diets changed the expression of c-myc and IGF-1 genes and thus demonstrate the possibility that nutrition not only supplies material for body components but also affects the signal transduction for growth in young growing rats.

Fecal microbiota and inflammatory and antioxidant status of obese and lean dogs, and the effect of caloric restriction.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in dogs, and is generally managed by caloric restriction. Gut microbiota alteration could represent a predisposing factor for obesity development, which has been associated with a low-grade inflammatory condition and an impaired antioxidant status. Besides, weight loss has been shown to influence the gut microbiota composition and reduce the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. However, these insights in canine obesity have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in serum and inflammatory parameters, antioxidant status, fecal microbiota and bacterial metabolites in 16 obese and 15 lean client-owned dogs and how these parameters in obese may be influenced by caloric restriction. First, for 30 days, all dogs received a high-protein, high-fiber diet in amounts to maintain their body weight; later, obese dogs were fed for 180 days the same diet in restricted amounts to promote weight loss. Before the introduction of the experimental diet (T0), small differences in fecal microbial populations were detected between obese and lean dogs, but bacterial diversity and main bacterial metabolites did not differ. The fecal Dysbiosis Index (DI) was within the reference range (< 0) in most of dogs of both groups. Compared to lean dogs, obese dogs showed higher serum concentrations of acute-phase proteins, total thyroxine (TT4), and antioxidant capacity. Compared to T0, dietary treatment affected the fecal microbiota of obese dogs, decreasing the abundance of Firmicutes and increasing Bacteroides spp. However, these changes did not significantly affect the DI. The caloric restriction failed to exert significative changes on a large scale on bacterial populations. Consequently, the DI, bacterial diversity indices and metabolites were unaffected in obese dogs. Caloric restriction was not associated with a reduction of inflammatory markers or an improvement of the antioxidant status, while an increase of TT4 has been observed. In summary, the present results underline that canine obesity is associated with chronic inflammation. This study highlights that changes on fecal microbiota of obese dogs induced by the characteristics of the diet should be differentiated from those that are the consequence of the reduced energy intake.

Toxicity and Starvation Induce Major Trophic Isotope Variation in Daphnia Individuals: A Diet Switch Experiment Using Eight Phytoplankton Species of Differing Nutritional Quality.

Stable isotope values can express resource usage by organisms, but their precise interpretation is predicated using a controlled experiment-based validation process. Here, we develop a stable isotope tracking approach towards exploring resource shifts in a key primary consumer species Daphnia magna. We used a diet switch experiment and model fitting to quantify the stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope turnover rates and discrimination factors for eight dietary sources of the plankton species that differ in their cellular organization (unicellular or filamentous), pigment and nutrient compositions (sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids), and secondary metabolite production rates. We also conduct a starvation experiment. We evaluate nine tissue turnover models using Akaike's information criterion and estimate the repetitive trophic discrimination factors. Using the parameter estimates, we calculate the hourly stable isotope turnover rates. We report an exceedingly faster turnover value following dietary switching (72 to 96 h) and a measurable variation in trophic discrimination factors. The results show that toxic stress and the dietary quantity and quality induce trophic isotope variation in Daphnia individuals. This study provides insight into the physiological processes that underpin stable isotope patterns. We explicitly test multiple alternative dietary sources and fasting and discuss the parameters that are fundamental for field- and laboratory-based stable isotope studies.

The effect of diet on melanin pigmentation in animals

Abstract Melanin, including both eu‐ and pheomelanin forms, is the most common pigment type in animals and plays numerous adaptive roles. However, the effect of diet on melanin pigmentation is not well reviewed or synthesized. Understanding how diet influences melanin may lead to valuable insights such as explaining intraspecific variation or explaining when melanin‐based traits are plastic or condition dependent versus when they are prioritized or canalized. In order to assess the state of the literature and the current understanding of the effects of diet on melanin pigmentation we conducted a systematic literature search. We use the search results to highlight common patterns across animals. In particular we focus on three questions: Which dietary components can influence melanin? Which aspects of melanin‐based traits are influenced by diet? What factors can mediate the influence of diet on melanin? The effect of diet on melanin is complex and multifaceted. Diet itself can vary in a number of ways including diet quantity, protein content, fatty acid content and amount of metals and other micronutrients. We discuss the mechanisms by which these components influence melanin pigmentation. Diet can influence the size, darkness and colour of melanin‐based traits. Often, diet influences one of these aspects but not another, which may reflect the processes of melanin synthesis and distribution. Factors that mediate whether melanin pigmentation responds to dietary variation include the type of trait, life stage, sex and environmental stress. Methodology (e.g. degree of manipulation relative to natural conditions) can also influence results. These nuances should be considered when developing hypotheses about the effects of diet on melanin pigmentation. We conclude with important areas for future research, including the proximate mechanisms connecting diet and melanin, how diet affects internal melanin, how diet mediates costs of melanin pigmentation and how diet affects the evolution of melanin‐based traits. Overall, diet has important and complex effects on melanin and likely plays an important role in the ecology and evolution of melanin pigmentation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.