Regular Food Research Articles

Applying the theoretical domains framework and behavior change wheel to inform interventions for food and food-related waste audits in hospital foodservices.

Completing aggregate food and food-related waste audits in hospital foodservices is an intense practice, however they can demonstrate problem areas that require attention to reduce waste. Identifying interventions to facilitate and improve the implementation of these audits can be guided by behavior change science. The aims of this study were to use behavior change theories and frameworks to (1) describe the drivers of behavior to complete food and food-related waste audits and (2) identify possible interventions that support the implementation and uptake of these audits. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from hospitals in Victoria, Australia who worked in their foodservice system. Semi-structured interviews sought knowledge of participant's perceived barriers and enablers to completing food and food-related waste audits. Deductive analysis using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and Capability Opportunity Motivation Behavior theory (COM-B) identified dominant drivers of behavior. TDF domains were then matched to their corresponding intervention functions according to the Behavior Change Wheel framework (BCW) to identify relevant strategies that may support audit implementation. Data from 20 interviews found the dominant COM-B constructs (TDF domains) were psychological capability (knowledge, skills), physical opportunity (environmental context and resources), and reflective motivation (social/professional role and identity, beliefs about capabilities). These dominant domains come from narratives that participants shared about foodservice staffs' lack of knowledge, labor, time, and the hospital avoiding responsibility for audit completion. Corresponding intervention functions that could have the most potential for implementing waste audits were education, training, environmental restructuring, modeling, and enablement. Participants' shared perspectives of audit enablers resembled these: for example, obtaining staff buy-in, reinforcing behavior through incentives and installing an audit champion. To transition toward regular food and food-related waste auditing practices in hospital foodservices these findings may help identify practice and policy change that delivers standardized auditing activities to encourage long term behavior change. Interventions to support audit completion should address each behavioral construct and relevant domain, as individual hospital sites will experience unique contextual factors and expectations influencing audit outcomes. A co-design process that includes staff and stakeholders of hospital foodservices is recommended to enable engagement and practical solutions to audit implementation.

Operant Training for Highly Palatable Food Alters Translating Messenger RNA in Nucleus Accumbens D2 Neurons and Reveals a Modulatory Role of Ncdn

BackgroundHighly palatable food triggers behavioral responses including strong motivation. These effects involve the reward system and dopamine neurons, which modulate neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The molecular mechanisms underlying the long-lasting effects of highly palatable food on feeding behavior are poorly understood. MethodsWe studied the effects of 2-week operant conditioning of mice with standard or isocaloric highly palatable food. We investigated the behavioral responses and dendritic spine modifications in the NAc. We compared the translating messenger RNA in NAc neurons identified by the type of dopamine receptors they express, depending on the kind of food and training. We tested the consequences of invalidation of an abundant downregulated gene, Ncdn. ResultsOperant conditioning for highly palatable food increased motivation for food even in well-fed mice. In wild-type mice, free choice between regular and highly palatable food increased weight compared with access to regular food only. Highly palatable food increased spine density in the NAc. In animals trained for highly palatable food, translating messenger RNAs were modified in NAc neurons expressing dopamine D2 receptors, mostly corresponding to striatal projection neurons, but not in neurons expressing D1 receptors. Knockout of Ncdn, an abundant downregulated gene, opposed the conditioning-induced changes in satiety-sensitive feeding behavior and apparent motivation for highly palatable food, suggesting that downregulation may be a compensatory mechanism. ConclusionsOur results emphasize the importance of messenger RNA alterations in D2 striatal projection neurons in the NAc in the behavioral consequences of highly palatable food conditioning and suggest a modulatory contribution of Ncdn downregulation.

Bolus rheology of texture adjusted food-Effect of age.

Swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, affect a large part of the population due to factors such as degenerative diseases, medication side effects or simply age-related impairment of physiological oropharyngeal function. The management of dysphagia is mainly handles through texture-modified foods of progressively softer, smoother, moister textures, depending on the severity of the disorder. Rheological and physiological-related properties of boluses were determined for a group of five older persons (average age, 74) for a set of texture-modified foods: bread, cheese and tomato and the combination into a sandwich. The softest class was gel food, after which came a smooth timbale; both were compared to boluses of regular food. The subjects chewed until ready to swallow, at which point the bolus was expectorated and measured regarding saliva content, linear viscoelasticity and shear viscosity. The results were compared to those of a previously studied younger group (average age, 38). The general physiological status of the subjects was determined by hand and tongue strength, diadochokinesis and one-legged standing and showed that all subjects were as healthy and fit as the younger group. Age-related properties such as one-legged standing with closed eyes and salivary flow plus bolus saliva content were lower for the older group, but the average chews-until-swallow was surprisingly also lower. Consequently, bolus modulus and viscosity were higher than for the younger group. Overall, the intended texture modification was reflected in bolus rheological and physiological-related properties. Bolus modulus, viscosity, saliva content and chews-until-swallowed all decreased from regular food to timbale food to gel food.

Understanding Cassiopea andromeda (Scyphozoa) Invasiveness in Different Habitats: A Multiple Biomarker Comparison

A dual nutrition mode (i.e., mixotrophy) can be advantageous for alien species in a new environment. In Cearà (Brazil), the symbiotic jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda is rapidly spreading under diverse environmental conditions across natural and human-altered coastal habitats, such as mangroves and shrimp farms. Here we report on the trophic ecology of the alien upside-down jellyfish sampled in these two contrasting coastal habitats during the dry (July–October) and rainy (January–April) seasons, investigated by means of organic biomarkers (lipids, carbohydrates) and bulk tissue stable isotope (δ15N and δ13C) analyses. Total lipid content of jellyfish gonads was generally higher in shrimp farms, whereas no significant difference in carbohydrate concentration was found in jellyfish tissues from the two different habitats. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the δ15N values of jellyfish tissues from the two contrasting habitats, whereas the δ13C values were higher in jellyfish from shrimp farms. Overall, the higher carbon-enriched value in aquaculture ponds supports the hypothesis of differences of available food sources compared to the natural mangrove habitats, where food availability exhibits a stronger seasonality. In fact, aquaculture ponds are characterized by human-driven regular food supply, leading to more stable trophic conditions and to enhanced growth, lipid production, and gonadal output of C. andromeda jellyfish. This investigation may contribute to predicting how Cassiopea mixotrophy may contribute to explaining its differential success in different habitats.

Smooth muscle dysfunction in the pre-inflammation site in stenotic Crohn's-like colitis: implication of mechanical stress in bowel dysfunction in gut inflammation.

Background and Aims: Gut smooth muscle dysfunctions contribute to symptoms such as abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and constipation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The mechanisms for muscle dysfunctions are incompletely understood. We tested the hypothesis that mechanical stress plays a role in muscle dysfunction in a rat model of Crohn's-like colitis where inflammatory stenosis leads to mechanical distention in the pre-inflammation site. Methods: Crohn's-like colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of TNBS (65mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Control rats were instilled with saline. The rats were fed with either regular solid food or exclusively liquid diet. Rats were euthanized by day 7. Results: When rats were fed with solid food, TNBS treatment induced localized transmural inflammation with stenosis in the instillation site and marked distention with no inflammation in the pre-inflammation site of the colon. Smooth muscle contractility was suppressed, and expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were increased not only in the inflammation site but also in the pre-inflammation site. Liquid diet treatment, mimicking exclusive enteral nutrition, completely released mechanical distention, eliminated COX-2 expression and PGE2 production, and improved smooth muscle contractility especially in the pre-inflammation site. When rats were administered with COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (5mg/kg, i. p. daily), smooth muscle contractility was restored in the pre-inflammation site and significantly improved in the inflammation site. Conclusion: Colonic smooth muscle contractility is significantly impaired in stenotic Crohn's-like colitis rats not only in the inflammation site, but in the distended pre-inflammation site. Mechanical stress-induced expression of COX-2 plays a critical role in smooth muscle dysfunction in the pre-inflammation site in Crohn's-like colitis rats.

Ashwagandha- Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal as a multipotent neuroprotective remedy for genetically induced motor dysfunction and cellular toxicity in human neurodegenerative disease models of Drosophila

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAshwagandha-Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, well known for its multipotent therapeutic properties has been used in Ayurveda for 3000 years. The plant with more than 50 active phytoconstituents is recognised for its anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and neurotherapeutic properties demonstrated in in vitro studies and chemically induced rodent models. Genetically targeted Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disease models have been created in Drosophila and have been used to get mechanistic insight into the in vivo cellular events, and genetic pathways that underlie respective neurodegenerative condition. But hitherto, there aren’t enough attempts made to capitalize the genetic potential of these disease models to validate the therapeutic efficacy of different reagents used in traditional medicine, in the context of specific disease-causing genetic mutations. Aim of the studyDrugs discovered using in vitro platforms might fail in several instances of clinical trials because of the genetic heterogeneity and variability in the physiological context found among the patients. Drosophila by virtue of its genetically regulated experimental potential forms an ideal in vivo model to validate the candidate reagents discovered in in vitro screens for their efficacy under specific genetic situations. Here we have used genetically induced α-synucleinopathy and tauopathy transgenic fly models to study the efficacy of Ashwagandha treatment, assessing cellular and behavioural parameters. MethodsWe have expressed the disease-causing human gene mutations in specific cell types of Drosophila using GAL4/UAS targeted expression system to create disease models. Human α-synuclein mutant (A30P) was expressed in dopaminergic neurons using Ddc-GAL4 driver strain to induce dopaminergic neurodegeneration and assayed for motor dysfunction. Human TauE14, mutant protein was expressed in photoreceptor neurons using GMR-GAL4 driver to induce photoreceptor degeneration. Microtubular destability and mitotic arrest in the dividing photoreceptor precursor cells were studied using αPH3 antibody. Lysosomal dysregulation caused necrotic black spots were induced by TauE14 with GMR-GAL4 driver, in a white mutant background. These flies mimicking neurodegenerative conditions were supplemented with different concentrations of Ashwagandha aqueous root extract mixed with regular fly food. The treated flies were analysed for cellular and behaviour parameters. ResultsLifespan assay shows that, Ashwagandha-root extract imparts an extended lifespan in male Drosophila flies which are intrinsically less stress resistant. Motor dysfunction caused due to human α-synuclein mutant protein expressed in dopaminergic neurons is greatly brought down. Further, Ashwagandha extract treatment significantly reduces TauE14 induced microtubular destability, mitotic arrest and neuronal death in photoreceptor neurons. Our experiment with tauopathy model in white mutant background exemplify that, Ashwagandha-root extract treatment can bring down lysosomal dysregulation induced necrosis of photoreceptor neurons. ConclusionWe have carried out a multifaceted study which elucidates that Ashwagandha can serve as a comprehensive, phytotherapeutic formulation to combat neurodegeneration, targeting multiple causative genetically defective conditions.

Fortification and Development of Nutritive Rich Cupcake using Prunus dulcis

Background: Almond (Prunus dulcis) is the most consumed tree nut, next to walnut and cashew and India is number one importer of almonds. Ingredients such as Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea), Kodo millet (Panicum sumatrense) and Black rice (Oryza sativa) were popular in the past but neglected by people now a days due to changes in the life style and regular food intake. Taking this into consideration an attempt was made to utilize these ingredients to develop a low-cost cupcake (Almocake) with high calcium and magnesium content for people suffering from micronutrient deficiency. The current rate of cupcakes per kg is approximately 700 rs/kg but the “Almocake” is 495 rs per kg, which is much lesser than the commercially available one. Methods: The ingredients were procured, dry roasted and ground. Three different proportions supplemented with 1:2:2:2, 1:2:1:2 and 2:1:1:1 ABVB (Almond, Barnyard millet, Kodo millet and Black rice) per serving were prepared and sensory analysis was carried out using a five-point hedonic scale that considered appearance, texture, taste and aroma. Result: The proportion 2:1:1:1 was found to be comparatively better than the other proportions. Nutritional analysis tests show that calcium content of 39.4 mg and Magnesium content of 23.8 mg were present in the cupcake. The antioxidant activity by DPPH antioxidant test was found to be 60%. The shelf life analysis by spread plate technique of the product was observed to be 20 days.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX (CSI) PASIEN ASING TERHADAP PENYAJIAN MAKANAN DI RUMAH SAKIT KHUSUS BEDAH BIMC KUTA KABUPATEN BADUNG

The Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) is an index to determine the level of overall customer satisfaction with an approach that considers the importance of the product or service attributes being measured. One of the factors that determine customer satisfaction is the consumers perception of service quality which focuses on five service dimensions, are Responsiveness, Reliability, Empathy, Tangible and Assurance. The type of research that will be carried out is an observational research type with a cross sectional research design and descriptive analysis. The population of this study were all foreign patients who were hospitalized at the BIMC Kuta Special Surgery Hospital, Badung Regency, and the sample from this study was part of the population who had the following criteria, patients who were treated for at least 1 day and received regular food, man and women over the age of 18 years, are willing to be research subjects by filling out the informed consent and the patient is conscious and able to communicate. Based on the 26 samples studied, overall the patients stated that they were good with the presentation of food provided by the hospital, namely with an index of 3,412 where if this value was percentage it was already above the standard hospital satisfaction value of 85%. This is in accordance with the results of the feed back form given from the hospital to patients where in May 2021 it showed a good satisfaction value with food presentation, which was 85%. Keywords : Customer Satisfaction Index, food presentation

HUBUNGAN CITA RASA DENGAN SISA MAKANAN BIASA PADA PASIEN RAWAT INAP DI RUMAH SAKIT TK II UDAYANA DENPASAR

Food maintenance is the responsibility of Nutrition Installation at Tk. II Udayana Hospital Denpasar, but often find problems in the form of patient food waste that exceeds the standard. This study aims to analyze the relationship of taste with ordinary food waste in the hospitalization at Tk. II Udayana Hospital Denpasar, as one of the scientific evaluation steps in reducing food waste. The data in this study were collected by questionnaire and observation methods. The results of this study showed that the results showed that, of the 47 samples studied that had a large sample food waste is 18 people (38.3%), which is classified as a small number of 29 people (61.7%) and averaged the sample regular food waste of 18.4%. The sample that stated the taste of good food was 42 people (89.4%) and stated the taste of food is not good ie 5 people (10.6%).Keywords: Flavor,Food wasted

Exploring the potential of shared electric vehicles from e‐mobility hubs as an alternative for commute and food shopping trips

AbstractElectric shared mobility hubs, called eHUBs, offer users access to a range of shared electric vehicles, including e‐bikes, e‐cargobikes, and e‐cars. Through the diversity of modes offered, eHUBs provide mobility solutions for different target groups and trip purposes. In this study, potential users’ willingness to use shared electric vehicles from eHUBs as either a commute or food shopping trip alternative was analysed using logistic regression methods. Results indicated that half of respondents were willing to use shared electric vehicles for at least a few of their regular commute or food shopping trips, although this proportion dropped substantially if considering the use of shared vehicles in combination with public transport. Across modes and trip purposes, holding a pro‐shared mobility attitude and belonging to the youngest age group strongly increased the willingness to use shared modes. Yet, while eHUBS may offer a potential alternative for at least some of people's regular commute or food shopping trips, cross‐mode shifts may be limited. That is, car drivers show a greater interest in shared e‐cars, whereas cyclists show a greater interest in e‐bikes and e‐cargobikes with public transport. Further influential factors, as well as implications for both shared mobility providers and local authorities, are discussed.

Vine leaf decomposition: Feeding preferences and effects of physico-chemical traits of litter on life-history traits of the woodlice Armadillidium vulgare Latreille, 1804

Litter decomposition is a key ecosystem process which is dependent on the litter characteristics and diversity, the decomposer community and activity, and the environmental conditions. We assessed vine leaf decomposition by Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804), a terrestrial isopod widely distributed and naturally present in vineyards. We compared the decomposition of three grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon) with regular laboratory food (Tilia tomentosa (Moench, 1785)) for seven consecutive weeks. Seven traits were measured on the four litters tested in order to define their importance concerning (i) litter mass loss by the action of microorganisms and isopods (ii) the trophic traits (consumption and assimilation) and (iii) life-history traits (survival and growth) of A. vulgare. Thus, the chemical and physical traits (C/N ratio, tannin and fiber content, thickness) known to influence litter palatability and digestibility for decomposers were determined by standardized methods. In addition, the copper frequently used in viticulture as a fungicide which is potentially responsible for toxic effects on decomposers was measured by ICP-OES after litter mineralization in nitric acid. Our results showed a higher percentage of decomposability by microorganisms in litter with low cellulose content and C/N ratio. Higher isopod consumption and assimilation was found in the litters which is the poorest in tannin, lignin and copper contents. Variation of consumption according to litter was on average 1.5 to 2.7 lower for grape varieties compared to T. tomentosa litter. Assimilation was significantly lower with Pinot Noir than the other litters. To conclude, after seven weeks of experimentation, this study showed that if the growth and survival of woodlice were not affected by inter-varietal differences in vine leaf quality, their role in the decomposition process may be strongly modulated and reduced, especially after consumption of grape variety litters rich in copper, lignin and tannin.

Dietary intakes of individuals with temporomandibular disorders: A comparative study.

There are some studies regarding the potential effects of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) on food intake and eating habits, however the comparison of nutritional intakes and status of individuals with and without TMD have not been adequately reported. Thus, the study aimed to assess the dietary intakes of individuals with TMD, and investigate if there is a difference in nutritional intakes between healthy individuals with and without TMD. Individuals were grouped as 'study group (with TMD)' versus 'control group (no TMD)' according to Fonseca Anamnestic Index. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used to assess oral health-related quality of life. Chewing function was evaluated with the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS). A 24-h dietary recall method was used to measure daily dietary intakes of the participants, and daily energy, macro- and micronutrient intakes were calculated. In addition, all drinks and foods in dietary records were classified under a specific modification level as 'Liquid-blenderized', 'Minced-moist & soft' and 'Easy-to chew & regular solid foods'. The participants in the study group (30 participants) had higher OHIP-14 score (p < .01) than control group (30 participants). According to TOMASS, number of bites (p = .003) and total time (p = .007) were both higher in the study group than control group. There was no difference in the number of chewing cycles (p = .100) and number of swallowing (p = .764) between groups. No difference was detected between groups in terms of energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake. There was no significant difference between groups in mean percentage of energy and macronutrient intakes from modified and regular food textures (p > .05). This study showed that there was no difference between individuals with and without TMD in terms of dietary intakes. The study results suggest that nutritional status of individuals with TMD is similar with healthy individuals without TMD.

The Impact of Mukbang Live Streaming Commerce on Consumers’ Overconsumption Behavior

Food live streaming shopping, which features a host eating and promoting the products to viewers, has become a new form of food marketing. In three studies, the authors examine the impact of content, influencer, and channel factors of mukbang live streaming on consumers’ perceived value and subsequent impulse purchase and food consumption behavior. Study 1, an experiment with 216 participants, reveals that a non–autonomous sensory meridian response (non-ASMR) video in which the mukbanger talks to viewers while eating regular (i.e., nonjunk) food is more influential in enhancing the video's perceived value and increasing impulse purchase and consumption. Study 2, with 624 participants, introduces influencer factors into the experiment. It shows that a credible and parasocial influencer significantly affects consumers’ perceived value, regardless of the food featured, resulting in impulse purchase and consumption. Study 3, which excludes the content factors fully mediated by influencer factors, examines the impact of the live streaming influencer and the shopping platform on perceived value and food well-being. A cross-sectional survey of 630 respondents finds that channel factors (food product offerings and convenience) and influencer factors (credibility and parasocial relationship) significantly enhance consumers’ perceived value, leading to impulse purchase and overconsumption. The authors provide theoretical and practical implications to enrich future research and responsible business practices in online food marketing.

The Health-Promoting Effects and the Mechanism of Intermittent Fasting.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern in which individuals go extended periods with little or no energy intake after consuming regular food in intervening periods. IF has several health-promoting effects. It can effectively reduce weight, fasting insulin levels, and blood glucose levels. It can also increase the antitumor activity of medicines and cause improvement in the case of neurological diseases, such as memory deficit, to achieve enhanced metabolic function and prolonged longevity. Additionally, IF activates several biological pathways to induce autophagy, encourages cell renewal, prevents cancer cells from multiplying and spreading, and delays senescence. However, IF has specific adverse effects and limitations when it comes to people of a particular age and gender. Hence, a more systematic study on the health-promoting effects and safety of IF is needed. This article reviewed the research on the health-promoting effects of IF, providing a theoretical basis, direction for subsequent basic research, and information related to the clinical application of IF.

К вопросу о судьбе военнопленных из сталинградского «котла»

Introduction. The successful counter-offensive of the Soviet troops near Stalingrad marked the beginning of the mass capture of enemy soldiers. Only after the liquidation of the Stalingrad cauldron, more than 90 thousand people were taken prisoner. Methods and materials. Historical facts are researched on the basis of the principles of historicism and objectivity. The article uses problem-chronological and comparative-historical methods. The article is based on the archival and published documents of the NKVD Secretariat, the Main Directorate for Prisoners of War Central Office and NKVD Internees and the Joint Archival Fund: Institutions for Prisoners of War and Internees of the Volgograd Region. Analysis. The captured enemy soldiers were exhausted and weakened to the limit, poorly dressed, all with lice, many sick and non-transportable. At the same time, it was impossible to create normal conditions in the destroyed city in a short period to accommodate captured enemy soldiers. A month-long stay in the frontline led to the fact that only 30% of the prisoners of war could be taken to the rear camps. In the special hospitals for prisoners of war created in Stalingrad and the region, the mortality rate until the beginning of June 1943 amounted to 63% of those admitted for treatment. But most of the prisoners sent to the rear could not move the road or died in the first days upon arrival at the camps. Results. About 80 thousand prisoners of war from the Stalingrad cauldron died already in 1943. The main reason for the high mortality among them was a long stay in harsh winter conditions and stress because of being in the cauldron without regular food. The low readiness of the NKVD camps and special hospitals to receive prisoners of war also had an effect.

Evoked sensory stimulation of the eating environment, impacts feeling of presence and food desires in an online environment

Online food choices are often made outside a regular food environment and suffer from sensory deprivation. The present study investigated if evoked multi-sensory stimulation can drive context specific food desires in an online environment.In a randomised between subject design, participants expressed their food desire on a visual analogue scale and feeling of presence (e.g., did you feel present on a beach) on a Likert scale, whilst looking online at a picture and reading a neutral description of a sensory laboratory (control condition), looking at a photo of a beach and reading a neutral description (beach condition), or looking at a photo of a beach and reading a sensory based description (beach + ).Participants (n = 725 participants, 622 females) who saw the beach photo increased their desire for cold, but not neutral foods (p < 0.05), those who were exposed to the sensory description in addition to the photo showed a higher desire for cold foods compared to those who just saw the beach photo (p < 0.001). These effects were modulated by an increased feeling of presence and how often participants visited the beach. Participants with a higher feeling of presence showed a higher desire for cold foods (p < 0.05). Food desires of those who visited the beach often were more impacted by the evoked sensory stimulation than food desires of those who visited the beach rarely.Food desires created in an online environment can be influenced by visual, and text based evoked sensory stimulation as long as consumers’ feeling of presence in is high. The results can inform public health professionals how to impact healthy food choices in an online environment.

Kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Oxidative Stress in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

Background: Synbiotic contains antioxidant that has been suggested to improve oxidative stress induced by high-fat diet (HFD) consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation consisting of kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) with the addition of Lactobacillus casei and L. plantarum on oxidative stress in HFD-fed rats. Methods: Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=5) for eight weeks of treatment. The HFD control (HFD alone) group and three different groups supplemented with three various doses of kepel synbiotic (Syn 1.2 mL, Syn 1.8 mL, and Syn 2.4 mL) were fed HFD for the first four weeks and continued supplemented kepel synbiotic for the second four weeks. Meanwhile, the normal diet (ND) control group was given regular food alone throughout the study. The serum, liver, heart, and brain oxidative stress markers were assessed. Results: Kepel synbiotic supplementation consistently improved oxidative stress by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity inhibition rate in serum, liver, heart, and brain in the HFD group compared to the ND group. This improvement effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner, increasing in higher kepel synbiotic doses. Conclusion: Kepel synbiotics showed a beneficial effect in improving oxidative stress in the serum, liver, heart, and brain of HFD-fed rats. Supplementation of kepel synbiotic can be considered a complementary therapeutic agent in improving oxidative stress, especially due to HFD consumption.

Fetal growth restriction followed by early catch-up growth impairs pancreatic islet morphology in male rats

Fetal growth restriction (FGR), followed by postnatal early catch-up growth, is associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction, including type 2 diabetes in humans. This study aims to determine the effects of FGR and early catch-up growth after birth on the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, with particular attention to glucose tolerance, pancreatic islet morphology, and fibrosis, and to elucidate its mechanism using proteomics analysis. The FGR rat model was made by inducing mild intrauterine hypoperfusion using ameroid constrictors (ACs). On day 17 of pregnancy, ACs were affixed to the uterine and ovarian arteries bilaterally, causing a 20.9% reduction in birth weight compared to sham pups. On postnatal day 4 (P4), the pups were assigned to either the good nutrition (GN) groups with 5 pups per dam to ensure postnatal catch-up growth or poor nutrition groups with 15 pups per dam to maintain lower body weight. After weaning, all pups were fed regular chow food ad libitum (P21). Rats in both FGR groups developed glucose intolerance; however, male rats in the FGR good nutrition (FGR-GN) group also developed hypertriglyceridemia and dysmorphic pancreatic islets with fibrosis. A comprehensive and functional analysis of proteins expressed in the pancreas showed that FGR, followed by early catch-up growth, severely aggravated cell adhesion-related protein expression in male offspring. Thus, FGR and early catch-up growth caused pancreatic islet morphological abnormalities and fibrosis associated with the disturbance of cell adhesion-related protein expressions. These changes likely induce glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia in male rats.

A PRECLINICAL MODEL OF STENOTIC CROHN’S DISEASE FOR THE STUDY OF MECHANISMS OF MOTILITY DYSFUNCTION IN IBD

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Motility dysfunction is present in patients with stenotic Crohn’s disease (CD) and contributes to cramps, diarrhea and constipation. However, mechanisms for motility dysfunction in CD are incompletely understood. Mechanical stress, i.e. inflammatory infiltration, edema, stenosis, and distention, is commonly encountered in CD. We tested the hypothesis in a rat model of stenotic CD that mechanical stress-induced expression of mechano-sensitive genes such as cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) may account for motility dysfunction in the inflammation site and the mechanically distended site prior to inflammation. ANIMAL MODEL AND METHODS Rat model of CD-like colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of TNBS 65 mg/kg in 250 µL of 40% ethanol. Control rats were treated with intracolonic saline instillation. When rats were fed with regular pellet food, instillation of TNBS led to localized transmural inflammation with stenosis in the instillation site (site I) and lumen distention in the colon segment proximal to inflammation (site P). However, when rats were fed exclusively with liquid diet, inflammation-associated stenosis and mechanical distention was eliminated. Rats were euthanized by 7 days. RESULTS 1) Compared to controls, COX-2 mRNA expression was increased by 13.1(± 2.5)-fold in site I and 16.6(±4.3)-fold in the mechanically distended site P, but not in the non-distended site D. This data indicates a mechanosensitive mechanism in COX-2 expression. If mechanical distention in CD was prevented by feeding rats exclusively with clear liquid diet, the increase of COX-2 mRNA expression was attenuated in sites I and P. Further investigation showed that increased expression of COX-2 occurs mainly in the colonic smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the distended colon. 2) We found that COX-2 expression was robustly induced by mechanical stretch (18% static stretch) in vitro in rat colonic smooth muscle cells (SMC). 3) Inflammation led to significant suppression of colon circular muscle contractility not only in site I but also in distended site P of CD-like rats. Muscle contractility in site D was not significantly affected by inflammation. Moreover, clear liquid diet treatment significantly improved muscle contractility in sites P and I. 4) To determine the role of COX-2 in smooth muscle dysfunction in the CD model, COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (5 mg/kg, i.p. daily) was administered in control and CD rats. We found that NS-398 significantly improved muscle contractility in CD rats in sites P and I. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that up-regulation of COX-2 expression in stenotic CD-like colitis is dependent on mechanical stress. COX-2 inhibitor improved colon smooth muscle contractility in colitis. Thus, mechanosensitive expression of COX-2 may play a critical role in smooth muscle dysfunction and dysmotility in CD.

Assessment of nutritional and sensory qualities of whole grains cookies formulated from vegetables and mushrooms

Malnutrition and obesity keeps increasing in the developing countries alongside, the burden of diet-related diseases, therefore, regular food is expected to be functional by providing additional health benefits; other than basic nutritional needs. In this study, 10, 25 and 50 % of two edible mushrooms namely; Termitomyces robustus and Lentinus squarrosulus and four vegetables; Basella alba, Launea taraxacifolia, Senecio biafrae, and Crassocephalum ruben were used to substitute whole grain flours of wheat, millet, guinea corn and yellow corn, separately, in formulation of cookies, with the aim of improving the nutritional properties and health benefit potential of the cookies. Proximate composition of the cereal flours were in the range of 7.27±0.06 -11.56 ±0.20% (moisture), 0.52±0.05 - 2.51±0.26 % (Ash), 8.48a±0.44- 14.97d±0.10% (protein), 8.72a±0.86- 12.35e±0.13 (fat), 0.19a±0.05 - 1.91e±0.03 % (fibre) and 63.78±0.43- 68.84b±0.56 % (carbohydrate). The nutritional and sensory qualities of representative cookies from each formulation were determined. Generally, supplementation with the vegetables and mushrooms had positive effect on the mineral, vitamins and proximate compositions, which is an indication of good nutritional quality; also the non-wheat flours compared favourably with the wheat flour nutritional-wise. Although, there was significant difference in sensory quality and acceptability of the non-wheat and wheat cookies, the results show that it is possible to use the named mushrooms, vegetables and grains to partially (≤ 10 %) substitute for wheat flour in the production of flour -based food systems with acceptable physical characteristics.