Soft Drinks Research Articles

Integration between Value Engineering Technology and Activity-based Costing and their Impact on Reducing Costs: Applied Research in Baghdad Soft Drinks Company/Private Shareholding

The research mainly aims to integrate activity-based costing and value engineering and consider their role in reducing costs for industrial facilities in the face of the modern business environment characterized by many developments and rapid changes. The research problem is that traditional cost accounting methods are insufficient to provide organizational units with useful information in many administrative decisions, especially those related to product quality, to calculate costs and meet requirements correctly and can be replaced by modern cost management methods. Moreover, to find compatibility between them in a competitive environment in the public and private sectors, The study is based on the following hypotheses: There is a significant relationship between the integration of value engineering technology and activity-based costing and cost reduction, and the integration of value engineering technology and activity-based costing has a significant effect on cost reduction.

Dietary habits as associated factors with irritable bowel syndrome among medical students: evidence from a cross-sectional study

BackgroundResearch on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) among medical students has increased globally, highlighting a high prevalence in this demographic. However, there is a lack of data specifically regarding the prevalence of IBS among medical students in Yemen. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of IBS among Yemeni medical students.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study involving medical students who completed a validated self-administered questionnaire incorporating socio-demographic information, dietary habits, smoking status, sleep patterns, and the Rome IV criteria for IBS. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify IBS’s associated factors, estimated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and average marginal effect (AME) on the predicted probability of IBS.ResultsThe study included 351 medical students with a mean age of 22.53 ± 2.70 years; 39.60% (139) were females. The prevalence of IBS was 26.21% (92 students), with 67.39% (62) of them classified as IBS-M (mixed). In multivariable analysis, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks remained significantly associated with IBS (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.14–9.88; P = 0.028). In males, coffee consumption had a substantial effect on the predicted probability of IBS (AME: 11.41%; 95% CI: 0.32–22.60). In females, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks had a significant effect on the predicted probability of IBS (AME: 24.91%; 95% CI: 8.34–41.48).ConclusionThe consumption of carbonated soft drinks is significantly associated with IBS among medical students, with a particularly notable increase in the predicted probability of IBS in females. These findings highlight the necessity for gender-specific dietary recommendations in IBS management. Further research is essential to investigate IBS in the general population to gain a comprehensive understanding of its prevalence and associated factors.

Stance detection in Arabic with a multi-dialectal cross-domain stance corpus

We present a cross-domain and multi-dialectal stance corpus for Arabic, covering the major dialect groups and four Arab regions. This research provides an important language resource for automating the task of stance detection in Dialectal Arabic while carefully considering the subtle differences in stance expression across various dialects. More than 4500 sentences in our corpus have been carefully annotated according to their stance with regard to a certain subject. We gathered sentences associated with two controversial topics for every region and we had at least two annotators annotate each sentence to indicate if the author is supporting, opposing, or neutral to the sentence’s topic. Our corpus shows high balance between dialect and stance. About half of the sentences in each region are written in Modern Standard Arabic, while the other half are written in the specific dialect of that region. To evaluate our corpus, we performed a number of machine-learning experiments for the stance detection task. The best performance was achieved by AraBERT with an accuracy and an F1-score of 0.82. Furthermore, we trained and tested this model on the most similar state-of-the-art stance dataset, “MAWQIF”. The comparison results demonstrate how crucial it is to maintain balance among the three stance classes in our dataset. In particular, the model scored better when using our stance corpus than when using the MAWQIF dataset especially for the “Neutral” stance class. Using our best performing model, we developed a Web-based demonstrator for stance detection in dialectal Arabic and we show its effectiveness in analyzing stance in the context of two real-world scenarios: product boycott in the Arab world and customer reviews of a soft drink company.

The impact of eating alone on food intake and everyday eating routines: A cross-sectional study of community-living 70- to 75-year-olds in Sweden

BackgroundEating is fundamental not only to survival and health, but also to how humans organise their social lives. Eating together with others is often seen as the healthy ideal, while eating alone is highlighted as a risk factor for negative health outcomes, especially among older adults. This paper, therefore, investigates the relationship between the frequency and subjective experience of eating alone and food-related outcomes among 70- to 75-year-olds in Sweden.MethodsA survey was distributed to a nationally representative random sample of 1500 community-living in Sweden, aged 70–75 years. Two different constructs of eating alone (objective and subjective) were measured, along with the following food-related outcomes: a food index, intake of food groups, consumption of ready-made meals, number of main meals per day, and body mass index (BMI).ResultsIn total, 695 respondents were included in the final sample. A quarter of the respondents were categorised as eating alone, of which a small proportion reported that doing so bothered them. There were no associations between eating alone and food index scores, BMI, or intake frequencies of fruits and berries, or fish and shellfish. However, people eating alone were less likely to report eating three meals per day (OR: 0.53, CI: 0.37–0.76, p = 0.006), less likely to report higher intake frequencies of vegetables and snacks, sugary foods, and sweet drinks (adjusted OR: 0.68, CI: 0.48–0.95, p = 0.023 resp. OR: 0.59, CI: 0.43–0.81, p = 0.001), and more likely to report higher intake frequencies of ready-made meals (adjusted OR: 3.71, CI: 2.02–6.84, p < 0.001) compared to those eating together with others. The subjective experience of eating alone did not have an impact on food-related outcomes.ConclusionEating alone or with others played a role in participants’ food intake, and seemed to influence aspects of the organisation of everyday eating routines rather than overall dietary healthiness or weight status. Our findings add to the previous body of research on commensality, eating alone, and health among the older population, providing insights into the development of future health policies and research.

Adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour during the school journey and the association with transport modes and food outlets along the school route.

Active transport to and from school provides an opportunity for adolescents to engage in physical activity, but travelling through an obesogenic environment may have unintended consequences on their snacking behaviour. This study aimed to: (1) identify whether adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour was associated with school transport modes and food outlets on their estimated school route and (2) explore whether food outlet density on the school route differed between school transport modes. Adolescents (n = 406; aged 15.1 ± 1.4 years; 50.7% boys; 63.5% New Zealand European) from all 12 secondary schools in Dunedin city, Aotearoa New Zealand, completed an online survey. School transport modes (active, motorised or mixed) and unhealthy snacking data were collected. Food outlet data were collected using Google Places Application Programming Interface (API). Home-to-school route and distance were estimated using geographical information system (GIS) analysis based on a walkable road network. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. Overall, 26.4% of adolescents reported purchasing and consuming unhealthy snacks or soft drinks on the way to school and 41.4% from school. The odds of unhealthy snacking during the school journey was higher among mixed transport users than active transport users on the way to (odds ratio (OR) = 2.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39-5.36) and from school (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.40-5.13). No differences were observed by food outlet type. There were no food outlets on the estimated school route for 44.8% of adolescents. The presence of more than one food outlet per kilometre of the estimated school route differed between active (38.7%), motorised (42.6%) and mixed transport users (46.4%; p = 0.006). School transport modes were significantly associated with adolescents' unhealthy snacking behaviour and food outlets on their school journey. Policy measures which minimise exposure to unhealthy food outlets may reduce unhealthy snacking among adolescents.

Major dietary patterns and their associations with total weight loss and weight loss composition 2–4 years after sleeve gastrectomy

BackgroundFood intakes 1–2 years following bariatric surgery depend more on patients than the surgery’s gastrointestinal tract changes. This study aimed to determine the major dietary patterns of patients after the first two years of sleeve gastrectomy and to investigate their associations with total weight loss (TWL) and the proportion of TWL as fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) loss.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 146 patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy 2–4 years after surgery. Dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis based on the 19 food groups. The percentage of FM loss relative to TWL (%FML) and FFM loss relative to TWL (%FFML) were calculated. A suboptimal clinical response was defined as a TWL of less than 25%. High FM loss and excessive FFM loss were defined based on the highest tertiles. Linear and logistic regression models were used to derive unstandardized (B) coefficients and odds ratios (OR), with dietary pattern scores serving as both a continuous and a binary variable (higher vs. lower adherence groups based on median).ResultsTwo predominant dietary patterns were retained. Each 1-unit increase in the first dietary pattern score characterized by high intakes of fast foods, soft drinks, processed meats, sugar confectionary, salty snacks, grains, and organ meats was associated with higher %FFML (B = 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34, 3.66), lower %FML (B = − 1.84; 95% CI − 3.49, − 0.20), and higher odds of excessive FFM loss (OR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.09, 3.11). Participants with higher adherence to the first dietary pattern had lower %TWL, and greater odds of suboptimal clinical response and excessive FFM loss than those with lower adherence. Each 1-unit increase in score for the second dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of fruits, dairy, vegetables, legumes, eggs, nuts, red meats, poultry, and fish was associated with lower odds of suboptimal clinical response (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.31, 0.86).ConclusionPatients should be encouraged to modify their diet by reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and increasing their intake of high-quality protein sources, fruits, and vegetables to achieve the best postoperative outcome.

Gemini Surfactant-Induced Cysteine-Capped Copper Nanoclusters Self-Assembly with Enhanced Peroxidase-Like Activity and Colorimetric Glutathione Sensing.

We have prepared a novel assembly with copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) and imidazolium-based gemini surfactants (different chain lengths). These novel mimic enzymes formed through the assembly of nanocluster-gemini surfactants have been utilized in creating colorimetric sensors to detect biomolecules. Yet, understanding the method for detecting glutathione (GSH) and its sensing mechanism using this specific assembly-based colorimetric sensor poses a significant challenge. Because of the role of surface ligands, the complexes of cysteine-capped CuNCs (Cys-CuNCs) and gemini surfactants exhibit strong amphiphilicity, enabling them to self-assemble like a molecular amphiphile. We have investigated the kinetics and catalytic capabilities of this Cys-CuNCs@gemini surfactant assembly through peroxidase-like activity. Additionally, a sensitive and simple-to-use colorimetric sensing approach for glutathione (GSH) is also disclosed here, demonstrating a low limit of detection, by using this peroxidase-like activity of Cys-CuNCs@gemini surfactant assemblies. Thus, the remarkable advantages of the Cys-CuNCs@gemini surfactant nanozyme make it suitable for the precise colorimetric detection of GSH, demonstrating excellent sensitivity and reliable selectivity. Additionally, it performs well in detecting GSH in various soft drinks.

Dietary and activity habits associated with hypertension in Kunming school-aged children and adolescents: A multilevel analysis of the study of hypertension risks in children and adolescents

ObjectiveHypertension has become a public health challenge for Yunnan children and adolescents. The study aims is to assess the dietary and activity habits associated with hypertension in Kunming children and adolescents and to develop effective strategies for preventing and controlling, Southwest China. MethodsConducted in 2019, the cross-sectional study involved 3,150 students, aged 13.25 ± 2.77 years, multistage, stratified, randomly sampled from Chenggong and Fumin areas, Southwest China. ResultsAmong 3,150 participants, 6.19 % never drank milk, 3.46 % never consumed fresh fruit. 2.67 % never consumed fresh vegetables, 2.48 % never ate breakfast and 10.06 % frequently drank sugary beverages (soft drinking). Additionally, 21.56 % engaged in moderate-intensity exercise less than one Day a week, and 31.97 % performed high-intensity exercise less than one Day a week. The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated that 49.40 % of the total variance was attributed to the dietary level and 42.10 % was attributed to the activity level. Eating fresh vegetables and fruit, taking physical education classes they attended per week and the frequency of moderate-intensity and high-intensity exercise per week were independent protective factors for hypertension (P < 0.01); drinking sugary beverages (soft drinking) was a independent risk factor against hypertension (P < 0.05); breakfast skipping was a possible risk factor for hypertension (P < 0.15). No significant associations were found with fried food or sweet food weekly consumption (P < 0.15). ConclusionsThe hypertension of children and adolescents cannot be ignored in Kunming, Southwest china. Dietary and activity factors are modifiable. We should make comprehensive child-friendly health education materials as soon as possible.

Prevalence and Predictors of Soft Drink Consumption among Adolescents in the Gulf Countries: Findings from National Surveys.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of soft drink consumption among adolescents in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries using nationally representative data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Cross-sectional data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire in a school survey and included 22,116 adolescents aged 12-18 years from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Data were collected and analyzed using complex survey methods. The GSHS was not available for Saudi Arabia. Soft drink consumption was the main outcome variable. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine its associations with sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviors, parental factors, and health-related behaviors. The prevalence of soft drink consumption three or more times per day ranged from 10.6% to 26.8% across the countries, with the highest being in Qatar. Adjusted analyses showed that girls had lower odds of SD consumption compared to boys (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.57-0.77). Food insecurity, a proxy for low socioeconomic status, was associated with twice the odds of frequent consumption (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.75-2.43). Parental smoking and low physical activity levels were also associated with higher soft drink intake (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.13-1.88 and OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28, respectively), while obesity showed a weak positive association. Daily soft drink consumption was highly prevalent among adolescents in the GCC countries. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors were significantly associated with frequent intake. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive, multi-sectoral interventions to reduce soft drink consumption in the region.

Estimated changes in free sugar consumption one year after the UK soft drinks industry levy came into force: controlled interrupted time series analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2011–2019)

BackgroundThe UK soft drinks industry levy (SDIL) was announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018, encouraging manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of soft drinks. This is the...

Convolution of Analyte-Electrode Interactions over Distinct Time-Scales Leading to Taste Discrimination in Single Response Electroplated Metal Microwires-Based Microfluidic Electronic Tongue

A microfluidic electronic tongue (MET) is demonstrated via analyzing a single equivalent admittance spectrum derived from stainless-steel microwires electroplated with copper, nickel, iron, and zinc, all interconnected in parallel. These microwires were integrated into a microfluidic chip composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A single admittance response for taste analytes, passing through micro-channels, was measured by short-circuiting the ends of multi-wire MET chip. The resulting admittance response from the MET was processed via principal component analysis (PCA) for visualization of clustering according to the taste groups. The performance of MET was assessed in terms of cluster analysis and Silhouette coefficient (SC).This analytical method effectively clusters four primary taste samples based on their distinct flavor profiles, showcasing notable differentiation with a Silhouette coefficient surpassing 0.71. The elucidation provided by the biplot reveals that electronic and ionic interaction at analyte-electrode interactions over distinct time scales contribute synergistically towards discrimination of taste in dimensionally reduced 2-D PCA space. Real admittance responses at lower and higher frequency range contribute majorly in the composition of first and second principal components respectively. The equivalent electric circuit (EEC) was fitted to the developed MET to gain better understanding of response mechanism. A capacitor (C) in parallel to a series combination of resistor (R) and inductor (L), is (C[RL]) kind of EEC fitted to the admittance spectra. Interestingly, when relying on fitted equivalent electric circuit data, the taste discriminability of the MET is notably diminished as not all EEC elements are able to capture signature response specific to each taste. This observation critically evaluates the strategy of suitable data selection towards accurate and efficient taste discrimination as the admittance response over complete frequency range are pivotal contributors to the MET's impressive taste discrimination capabilities.A pivotal aspect of the MET's functionality lies in deploying a single admittance response, a convolution of the responses of multiwire configurations integrated into the MET. This approach ensures global selectivity by utilizing copper, nickel, iron, and zinc electrodeposited stainless-steel microwires. These functionalization-free sensing units exhibit the ability to discriminate sweet, sour, bitter, and salty taste groups with remarkable clarity, boasting a Silhouette coefficient value of 0.77.The MET's adaptability is further underscored by its electroplating modification, which is both expandable and enables clean room-free fabrication methods. This capability paves the way for the widespread manufacturing of MET chips featuring readily interchangeable and reusable calibration-free electrodes.Looking ahead, the MET holds promise for future applications in quality control, particularly in the assessment of real food and beverage samples such as milk and soft drinks. The efficiency demonstrated in discriminating between tastes suggests that the MET could offer a cost-efficient and simplified solution for taste and quality assessments across diverse commercial applications. This potential extends to scenarios where clean room facilities are not readily available.In summary, the MET's unique approach, utilizing a single equivalent admittance spectrum from electroplated metal wires in a microfluidic context, showcases robust taste discrimination capabilities. Integrating PDMS microfluidic chips and employing principal component analysis add layers of sophistication to the methodology. The MET's global selectivity, functionalization-free sensing units, and adaptability in manufacturing advocate its potential for revolutionizing taste and quality assessment in various industries, providing a glimpse into a future where simplicity and cost-efficiency are paramount considerations in analytical methodologies.

Assessment of nutritional value and safety of soft drinks enriched with berries growing in the Republic of Azerbaijan in comparison with traditional drinks

The study used modified formulations of traditional drinks to enrich them with several nutrients and microelements. Berries selected for the study, namely: dogwood, pomegranate, persimmon, blueberry, and raspberry, demonstrated high antioxidant activity and rich vitamin composition. The study revealed a significant increase in the antioxidant activity of traditional Azerbaijani drinks when enriched with berry extracts. The antioxidant activity of arrowroot increased by 20 mg GAE/100 ml after dogwood enrichment. Sherbet showed an increase in activity of 22.5 mg GAE/100 ml with the addition of raspberries. Tea enriched with persimmon increased its antioxidant activity by 125%. The pomegranate-enriched compote increased its activity by 24 mg GAE/100 ml. Blueberry pekmez showed average results, although due to the high level of nutritional properties of blueberries, it was also a promising research object. The study also analysed the selected berries, further evaluating potential changes in the vitamin composition, antioxidant activity, and organoleptic properties of the beverages after adding the berries. The most significant improvement in taste, aroma, colour and texture of the drinks was observed in persimmon extract-enriched tea and blueberry pekmez, which received the highest scores for all parameters after enrichment. The antioxidant activity of the drinks also increased significantly after adding berry extracts. The microbiological and chemical risks associated with the use of fresh berries and the proposed measures to ensure the safety of beverages helped to shape the further vector of research in this area

Corrosion Behavior of 3104 Aluminum Cans When Used as Packaging for Chinese Liquor.

Aluminum cans are commonly used for packaging soft drinks and low-alcohol beverages due to their good recyclability. To enhance the economic cycle and expand the packaging of liquors, the feasibility of commercial 3104 aluminum cans for packaging Chinese liquor was studied. The aluminum's migration into alcoholic solutions was studied using inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the corrosion process of epoxy coatings on the aluminum cans. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), infrared attenuated total reflection (IR-ATR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the inner coatings and adhering surfaces of the cans and the corrosion process. The results showed that the maximum aluminum migration in Chinese liquor was 4.3572 mg/kg at 60 °C for 30 days. The epoxy coating was corroded enough to decrease the coating impedance and expose the metal substrate after 25 days. Permeation and aging degradation of coatings are the main factors to consider when packaging liquor.

Dental Carries Prevalence and Associated Factors of Secondary Level Students in Eastern Nepal

Background: Dental caries or a tooth decay is a common oral health condition characterized by demineralization oftooth enamel and subsequent formation of cavities It is a global public health problem and influence the overall health ofchildren.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 343 secondary level school students by complete enumerationsampling method. A pretested, standardized, closed-ended questionnaire and a standard Decayed, Missing, and Filledprimary Teeth (DMFT) tools were adopted to find out the prevalence and associated factors of Dental Caries. Face to faceinterview and oral assessment under natural day light were uses for data collection methods. Data were coded, entered,cleaned and analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Descriptive and bi-variate statistics were employed to test the associationbetween dependent and independent variables. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant association and result waspresented in text, tables and graph.Result: The overall prevalence of dental caries was 68.5% with a mean and SD of DMFT of 1.53±1.462 and femalestudents were most sufferer (70.1%) from dental caries. There was a significant association of dental caries with mother’seducational status (p=0.009), consumption of sugary tea/coffee (p=&lt;0.001), frequency of soft drinks consumption(p=0.004), frequency of tooth brushing (p=&lt;0.001) and changing time of new tooth brush (p=&lt;0.001).Conclusion: The study found a high prevalence of dental caries among the students, which were attributed to consumptionof sugary foods and drinks and poor oral hygiene practices. The researchers hold a strong conviction that relevant authoritiescan provide the necessary actions to raise the awareness regarding the issue.

ISOLASI DAN INTENSITAS SERANGAN PENYAKIT BULAI (Peronosclerospora philippinensis Shaw) PADA TANAMAN JAGUNG (Zea mays L.) DI KABUPATEN MAROS

This study aims to determine the isolation and intensity of downy mildew (Peronosclerospora philippinensis) on maize (Zea mays L.) in Maros Regency during the 2022 planting period. This research was carried out on agricultural land in Pucak Village, Tompobulu District, Maros Regency and at the Pest Laboratory. and Diseases of the Indonesian Muslim University and the Hasanuddin University Disease Laboratory. This research was carried out for 3 months, starting from June to August 2022. The materials and tools used were leaves that were attacked by downy mildew, 2% sugar water, methylene blue, aquades, microscopes, scissors, glass objects, masking tape, tissue towels, plastic clips, camera and stationery. This study uses a survey method by direct observation in the field. Downy mildew leaves are taken and then taken to the laboratory to identify the fungus that causes downy mildew. Based on microscopic observations, Peronosclerospora philippinensis species were found with ovoid shape and thin walls. The results of the observation that the intensity of downy mildew in the field in the first month was 20% with the moderate attack intensity category, then in the second month it increased to 70.2% with the severe category and in the third month which was the highest attack intensity with an average of 96.7%. with the puso category which means that of the 30 plants observed, 29 were attacked by downy mildew. The attack intensity which reaches 96.7% can no longer be used as a seed source.

Combined effect of fiber and degree of stabilization on the early age behavior of cement bound granular mixtures

Abstract An investigation has been undertaken to study the effect of fiber-reinforcement and different degrees of stabilization on the early age mechanical behavior of cement bound granular mixtures intended to be used as a base layer within pavement structure. Waste plastic fibers (WPF) recycled from soft drink bottles were used at 1% by the mass of aggregate to reinforce cemented mixtures. To stabilize different mixtures, cement content of 3%, 5%, and 7% by the mass of aggregate and by the weight of aggregate and fiber were used for conventional and fiber-reinforced cement bound granular mixture (CCBGM&amp; FRCBGM), respectively. The examined properties include unconfined compressive strength (UCS), indirect tensile strength (ITS), bulk density, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). The results showed a significant improvement in UCS and ITS as the cement amount increased for both types of mixtures. Incorporating PET fibers at cement content of 5% and 7% resulted in a noticeable improvement of ITS compared to the conventional mixtures while a marginal enhancement in the UCS occurred due to fiber-reinforcement. Both bulk density and UPV were increased as cement content increased, while both were decreased due to the inclusion of waste plastic fibers (WPF). Hence, utilizing waste plastic fiber has a positive and promising effect on the pavement structure from sustainability, integrity, and economic points of view.

How do maternal socioeconomic and behavioral patterns affect oral health in early childhood?

A prospective longitudinal observational cohort study. The data analyzed were derived from a comprehensive observational study on BRISA prenatal cohort conducted in São Luís City, Brazil, between 2010 and 2013. A convenience sample included pregnant women recruited from both public and private prenatal health services in the city. To participate in the study, women needed to have undergone an obstetric ultrasound before the 20th week of pregnancy to estimate gestational age. Multiple pregnancies were excluded. Initially, the pregnant women were interviewed and assessed for oral health indicators between the 22nd and 25th weeks of pregnancy. A follow-up interview was conducted within 48 h after delivery. In the child's second year, the mothers were re-interviewed, and the children were examined for the second follow-up. The study received approval from the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The research followed the STROBE guidelines for reporting observational studies. At baseline, a structured questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic and lifestyle information like maternal age, family income, education level, occupation of the family head, pre-gestational BMI, alcohol and soft drink consumption, and smoking status during pregnancy. Dental examinations were conducted by 6 trained and calibrated dentists who assessed DMFT index and periodontal health indicators. In the second follow-up, children's oral health was evaluated using visible plaque index (VPI), gingival bleeding, and the modified dmft index. Children's weight and height were measured by a digital scale, and BMI z-scores were calculated based on WHO standards. Sugar-sweetened beverage intake was categorized by terciles based on the percentage of total daily energy from these beverages. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze multiple pathways among a set of latent and observed variables. Three latent variables were proposed and measured: Socioeconomic Status and Periodontal Maternal Status in the mothers, and Chronic Oral Disease Burden (CODB) in the children. CODB was inferred from 3 observed indicators: VPI, gingival bleeding, and tooth decay. Total, direct, and indirect effects were calculated for variables from the gestational period and the child's second year of life. In total, 1141 mother-child dyads were included. Periodontal Maternal Status correlated with more decayed teeth in pregnant women (standardized coefficient (SC) = 0.089; p = 0.008). Addictive risk behaviors were highly correlated, with SCs of 0.679 (p < 0.001) for alcohol and smoking, and 0.262 (p < 0.001) for soft drink and alcohol consumption. Obesity (SC = 0.081; p = 0.048) and added sugar consumption (SC = 0.142; p = 0.040) were interconnected across generations from pregnant women to their offspring. Children's consumption of sugar was strongly associated with CODB (SC = 0.357; p = 0.005). Caries and periodontitis were correlated in pregnant women. Obesity and sugar consumption have intergenerational impacts. Early sugar intake relates to CODB in early childhood. Intergenerational behavioral risks affect oral health in the first 1000 days of life, influencing long-term health outcomes.

4-methylimidazole exposure impairs sperm mobility by reducing the expression of blood-testis barrier junction protein in mouse testes

4-methylimidazole (4-MI), a derivative of imidazole, is a widely used component in caramel-colored food products such as soy sauce, beer and other soft drinks. The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of 4-MI on the male reproduction. The results revealed that 8 weeks of 4-MI exposure did not significantly alter the body weight and testicular weight of male mice. However, testicular morphology and computer-assisted sperm analysis showed that exposed to 4-MI caused irregular arrangement of spermatogenic cells in the testes and weakened sperm motility. Consistently, we observed the decreased fertilization ability in vivo of 4-MI-treated male mice. We further demonstrated that 4-MI disrupted the blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity by decreasing the protein expression of BTB-related junction with permeability assay and western blot. In addition, the apoptosis of Sertoli cells (TM4) occurred in 4-MI treated mice, which might be caused by the generation of oxidative stress. Collectively, our findings document that 4-MI exposure damages the sperm mobility via disruption of BTB integrity.

Identifying the Leading Sources of Saturated Fat and Added Sugar in U.S. Adults.

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting intakes of saturated fat and added sugars (SF/AS) to <10% total energy. Data-driven approaches to identify sources of SF/AS are needed to meet these goals. We propose using a population-based approach to identify the leading food and beverage sources of SF/AS consumed by US adults. Foods and beverages reported as consumed were assessed from two, 24 h dietary recalls (24HRDR) from 36,378 adults aged 19 years and older from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Intakes of SF/AS were aggregated across both 24HRDR to identify What We Eat in America food categories accounting for ≥90% of SF/AS, respectively, by the total population and within population subgroups. Data were weighted to estimate a nationally representative sample. Ninety-five discrete food categories accounted for ≥90% of the total SF/AS intakes for >88% of the representative sample of U.S. adults. The top sources of SF were cheese, pizza, ice cream, and eggs. The leading sources of AS were soft drinks, tea, fruit drinks, and cakes and pies. This analysis reflects a parsimonious approach to reliably identify foods and beverages that contribute to SF/AS intakes in U.S. adults.

No- and low-alcohol beer and the sponsorship of sport in Australia: An audit of sponsorship partnerships and analysis of marketing tactics.

Alcohol sponsorship of sport is associated with increased alcohol consumption. Little research to date has examined the sponsorship of sport by no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) beverage brands, despite concern that the marketing of these products might be harmful to young people. This study had dual aims: to identify sporting partnerships between NoLo beers and Australian sport, and examine marketing tactics used in social media advertising to promote these partnerships. Our sample included NoLo beers sold online from three large Australian alcohol retailers. First, we performed a qualitative content analysis of partnerships between NoLo beers and sport using publicly available online information. We then analysed the 118 social media posts of NoLo brands linked to these partnerships using a coding framework adapted from the alcohol literature. Of 34 brands, 13 had sporting sponsorship partnerships across a range of spectator and participatory sports. Key marketing tactics identified on social media were activations, time-and event-specific drinking, influencer marketing, competitions, and corporate social responsibility. In particular, NoLo brands aim to disrupt the sports drink market by advertising their products as healthy recovery drinks, or 'sports beers', through activation events. Brands are also using influencer marketing and competitions, two tactics shown to be particularly persuasive for young people. NoLo beer brands strategically align with Australian sports to promote NoLo consumption. As they are classified as soft drinks in Australia, NoLo beverages are not regulated like alcohol. Future discussions around sports sponsorship and advertising regulation must consider NoLo products.