Specific Food Research Articles

Plant economics spectrum governs leaf nitrogen and phosphorus resorption in subtropical transitional forests

BackgroundLeaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption is a fundamental adaptation strategy for plant nutrient conservation. However, the relative roles that environmental factors and plant functional traits play in regulating N and P resorption remain largely unclear, and little is known about the underlying mechanism of plant functional traits affecting nutrient resorption. Here, we measured leaf N and P resorption and 13 plant functional traits of leaf, petiole, and twig for 101 representative broad-leaved tree species in our target subtropical transitional forests. We integrated these multiple functional traits into the plant economics spectrum (PES). We further explored whether and how elevation-related environmental factors and these functional traits collectively control leaf N and P resorption.ResultsWe found that deciduous and evergreen trees exhibited highly diversified PES strategies, tending to be acquisitive and conservative, respectively. The effects of PES, rather than of environmental factors, dominated leaf N and P resorption patterns along the elevational gradient. Specifically, the photosynthesis and nutrient recourse utilization axis positively affected N and P resorption for both deciduous and evergreen trees, whereas the structural and functional investment axis positively affected leaf N and P resorption for evergreen species only. Specific leaf area and green leaf nutrient concentrations were the most influential traits driving leaf N and P resorption.ConclusionsOur study simultaneously elucidated the relative contributions of environmental factors and plant functional traits to leaf N and P resorption by including more representative tree species than previous studies, expanding our understanding beyond the relatively well-studied tropical and temperate forests. We highlight that prioritizing the fundamental role of traits related to leaf resource capture and defense contributes to the monitoring and modeling of leaf nutrient resorption. Therefore, we need to integrate PES effects on leaf nutrient resorption into the current nutrient cycling model framework to better advance our general understanding of the consequences of shifting tree species composition for nutrient cycles across diverse forests.

The role of diet in managing hidradenitis suppurativa: a review of current evidence and future directions.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition wish a complex pathogenesisinfluenced by multiple factors, including diet. This manuscript summarizes current literature onthe potential role of diet in HS management.Various dietary interventions, including the Mediterranean diet, elimination diets and specific nutrient supplementation, have shown promise in individual cases and observational studies. However, the heterogeneous nature of HS and the lack of controlled prospective studies limit the ability to make general dietary recommendations. Demographic factors influencing dietary habits and HS prevalence are also discussed. While food quality appears to be a crucial factor, more research is needed to establish definitive links between specific dietary components and HS outcomes. Future controlled clinical trials are necessary to develop evidence-based dietary guidelines for HS patients, considering individual variability and demographic factors.

The evaluation of nightshade elimination diet (NED) on inflammatory and rheumatologic markers of rheumatoid arthritis patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease with a global prevalence rate of 1%. Patients with RA often associate specific foods like tomatoes and eggplants with adverse symptoms. These plants contain solanine, which could potentially contribute to bone and joint damage. Despite patient reports, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of nightshades on patients with RA. This study aims to assess the effect of nightshade elimination diet (NED) on inflammatory and rheumatologic marker levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients for the first time.MethodsA single-blinded controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the effect of an NED on 40 participants over 8 weeks (2 months). Participants will be equally divided into intervention and placebo groups. Both groups will receive general anti-inflammatory dietary recommendations, with the intervention group undergoing an NED during the study. Clinical symptoms will be assessed using questionnaires, and blood samples will be collected to measure relevant indicators.DiscussionThis RCT signifies a groundbreaking exploration into NED effects on RA markers, potentially initiating crucial discussions in the field. Its outcomes could serve as a cornerstone for larger and more robust trials, offering pivotal insights to nutritionists and physicians for the nuanced management of patients with RA.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20230220057465N1 (https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/68959). Registered on 8 April 2023.

Differential changes in mast cells with food reintroduction in children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Intraepithelial mast cells (MC) are increased in Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) and reduced with elimination of dietary antigens. Single food reintroduction can identify triggers of eosinophilia however it remains unknown the extent to which specific foods trigger intraepithelial mastocytosis. We hypothesized that specific foods drive different degrees of MC inflammation. We previously reported a prospective pediatric EoE cohort treated with a 4-food elimination diet (4FED) with removal of soy, egg, wheat, milk. We retrieved unstained slides in which baseline, 4FED, and post-4FED diet reintroduction time points were available. Slides were stained with tryptase, and intraepithelial MCs were counted. Comparisons were made by stratifying patients by eosinophilia, basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), endoscopic abnormalities, and symptoms. Pearson correlation was assessed for MCs with eosinophilic, endoscopic and BCH severity, symptoms, and a novel mucosal activity score (MAS) combining endoscopic and histologic structural severity. Slides were available from 37 patients with at least 1 food reintroduced. MCs were significantly reduced with 4FED. Wheat led to increased intraepithelial MCs in the upper esophagus and with food-induced eosinophilia, while milk led to significantly increased MCs in the upper and lower esophagus and was significantly associated with patients with food-triggered eosinophilia, endoscopic abnormalities, BCH, and symptoms. MCs best correlated with the MAS during milk reintroduction. In children with EoE, MCs are reduced with 4FED. During milk reintroduction, significant increases in MCs were observed with all metrics of inflammation along with moderate correlation with structural mucosal activity that was not seen with other foods. This suggests milk exerts unique effects either directly or indirectly on MCs in the esophagus in EoE patients.

Food Tax Substitution Effects

Diet-related illness in the U.S. has risen to crisis levels, with today’s parents projected—for the first time—to enjoy longer lives than their children. Policymakers have responded with a range of novel proposals, many revolving around the assumption that increasing the relative price of unhealthful foods via taxes on soda, fat, sugar or caloric density will encourage more healthful eating. Yet there is little evidence that diet-targeted price interventions have had a meaningful impact on health outcomes. The reason for this, I argue, is both expected and largely overlooked in the academic and policy literatures: consumers have been motivated by price interventions to eat differently, but differently isn’t necessarily better. Price interventions created and crafted solely on the basis of the nutritional value of the targeted dietary item(s) are vulnerable to health-neutral substitution effects, wherein a price intervention motivates consumers to substitute items of similar dietary value—candy or beer for soda, for example—leading to little net change in overall dietary quality. This Article proposes a novel food tax strategy, one that focuses on substitution effects. Instead of targeting foods with the least or most nutritional value, legislators and other policymakers should direct taxes to foods with the least or most relatively healthful substitutes. As proof of concept, this Article introduces a specific substitution-based food tax proposal, supported with empirical results from an original randomized controlled trial: food taxes should seek to motivate substitution between grocery food and the relatively less healthful option of restaurant food. The health impact of such a shift will likely exceed that of a direct tax on soda, fat, sugar or calories given the high cross-elasticity of demand for restaurant food and its significant health inferiority. And because this shift may be accomplished by subsidizing groceries, by lowering taxes on groceries or by increasing taxes on restaurants, it presents a more politically flexible intervention than traditional consumer-side food taxes.

Advancement and Innovations in Drying of Biopharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, and Functional Foods

AbstractDrying is a crucial unit operation within the functional foods and biopharmaceutical industries, acting as a fundamental preservation technique and a mechanism to maintain these products' bioactive components and nutritional values. The heat-sensitive bioactive components, which carry critical quality attributes, necessitate a meticulous selection of drying methods and conditions backed by robust research. In this review, we investigate challenges associated with drying these heat-sensitive materials and examine the impact of various drying methods. Our thorough research extensively covers ten notable drying methods: heat pump drying, freeze-drying, spray drying, vacuum drying, fluidized bed drying, superheated steam drying, infrared drying, microwave drying, osmotic drying, vacuum drying, and supercritical fluid drying. Each method is tailored to address the requirements of specific functional foods and biopharmaceuticals and provides a comprehensive account of each technique's inherent advantages and potential limitations. Further, the review ventures into the exploration of combined hybrid drying techniques and smart drying technologies with industry 4.0 tools such as automation, AI, machine learning, IoT, and cyber-physical systems. These innovative methods are designed to enhance product performance and elevate the quality of the final product in the drying of functional foods and biopharmaceuticals. Through a thorough survey of the drying landscape, this review illuminates the intricacies of these operations and underscores their pivotal role in functional foods and biopharmaceutical production.

Marine Bioactive Compounds with Functional Role in Immunity and Food Allergy.

Food allergy, referred to as the atypical physiological overreaction of the immune system after exposure to specific food components, is considered one of the major concerns in food safety. The prevalence of this emerging worldwide problem has been increasing during the last decades, especially in industrialized countries, being estimated to affect 6-8% of young children and about 2-4% of adults. Marine organisms are an important source of bioactive substances with the potential to functionally improve the immune system, reduce food allergy sensitization and development, and even have an anti-allergic action in food allergy. The present investigation aims to be a comprehensive report of marine bioactive compounds with verified actions to improve food allergy and identified mechanisms of actions rather than be an exhaustive compilation of all investigations searching beneficial effects of marine compounds in FA. Particularly, this research highlights the capacity of bioactive components extracted from marine microbial, animal, algae, and microalgae sources, such as n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), polysaccharide, oligosaccharide, chondroitin, vitamin D, peptides, pigments, and polyphenols, to regulate the immune system, epigenetic regulation, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis that are essential factors in the sensitization and effector phases of food allergy. In conclusion, the marine ecosystem is an excellent source to provide foods with the capacity to improve the hypersensitivity induced against specific food allergens and also bioactive compounds with a potential pharmacological aptitude to be applied as anti-allergenic in food allergy.

Component diagnosis of food allergy: precise identification of allergenic components in egg and milk

Food allergy are triggered by an abnormal immune response to specific food components, with milk and eggs being the most common food allergens, especially in children. Food allergy can cause various symptoms such as rashes, difficulty breathing, and digestive issues. Allergen component diagnostics is a technique used to identify specific allergenic proteins, aiding doctors in providing more precise treatment and management recommendations for patients. This article analyzes the latest research developments and clinical significance of milk and egg allergen components based on the " Molecular Allergology User's Guide 2.0 (MAUG 2.0)" issued by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), including their applications in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management. This article aims to enhance healthcare professionals' understanding of milk and egg allergies, offering new perspectives and practical guidelines for research and clinical practice to promote accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.

Growth performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in aquaponic systems with varying densities of Vietnamese coriander (Persicaria odorata)

Mass cultivation of high-value aromatic herbs such as Vietnamese coriander and Persicaria odorata required specific soil, nutrients, and irrigation, mostly found in the limited natural wetland. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of P. odorata at different densities in nutrient removal and the growth performance of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus in aquaponic systems. P. odorata was cultivated for 40 d with less than 10% water exchange. The effects of increasing crop densities, from zero plants for the control, 0.035 ± 0.003 kg/m2 in Treatment 1, 0.029 ± 0.002 kg/m2 in Treatment 2, and 0.021 ± 0.003 kg/m2 in Treatment 3, were tested on the growth performance of C. gariepinus with an initial density of 3.00 ± 0.50 kg/m3. The specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth rate of fish (DGRf), and survival rate (SR) of the C. gariepinus were monitored. Nutrient removal, daily growth rate of plant (DGRp), relative growth rate (RGR), and the sum of leaf number (Ʃn) of the P. odorata plant were also recorded. It was found that nutrient removal percentage significantly increased with the presence of P. odorata at different densities. The growth performance of C. gariepinus was also affected by P. odorata density in each treatment. However, no significant difference was observed in the DGRp and RGR of the P. odorata (p>0.05), except for Ʃn values. Treatment 1 had the highest Ʃn number compared to Treatment 2 and Treatment 3, showing a significant difference (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that the presence of P. odorata significantly contributes to lower nutrient concentrations, supporting the fundamental idea that plants improve water quality in aquaponic systems.

Safety of glucosyl hesperidin as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on glucosyl hesperidin (GH) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF, which is produced from hesperidin and dextrin by enzymatic reactions, is a powder consisting mainly of monoglucosyl hesperidin (MGH) and unreacted hesperidin (flavonoid), which account in total for up to 92.8% (on dry basis) of the product. The applicant proposed to use the NF in specific drinks and food supplements leading to a maximum intake of up to 364 mg per day for adults. The target population is the general population, except for food supplements for which the proposed target population is children from 1 year onwards and adults. Taking into consideration the composition of the NF and the proposed uses, the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. There are no concerns regarding genotoxicity of the NF. Based on a 90-day oral toxicity study conducted with the NF, the Panel considers the NOAEL at the mid-dose group, i.e. ~ 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. By applying an uncertainty factor of 200, the resulting intake providing sufficient margin of exposure for humans would be 5 mg/kg bw per day. The available human intervention studies did not report clinically relevant changes in haematological or clinical chemistry parameters following the administration of GH/MGH at supplemental doses of up to 3 g/day for 12 weeks. Overall, the Panel considers that the margin of exposure (~ 200) between the intake of the NF at the proposed uses and use levels and the NOAEL from the 90-day study is sufficient. The Panel concludes that the NF, glucosyl hesperidin, is safe for the target population at the proposed uses and use levels.

Response of sugarcane variety COVSI 9805 to site specific nutrient management in Maharashtra

Response of sugarcane variety COVSI 9805 to site specific nutrient management in Maharashtra

Impact of genotypic variation and cultivation conditions on the techno-functional characteristics and chemical composition of 25 new Canadian quinoa cultivars

The utilization of quinoa in food production requires comprehensive information on its processing characteristics. Twenty-five new quinoa cultivars developed by the Northern Quinoa Breeding Program, grown in three Canadian locations over two seasons, were characterized for their proximate composition, pasting properties, thermal properties, water absorption index, water solubility index, foaming capacity, foaming stability, oil holding capacity, and emulsion activity crucial for potential food applications. Results showed significant variations in the proximate composition among the cultivars, which was also influenced by the growing location and harvest year. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also observed in the pasting properties, thermal stability, hydration properties, foaming properties, oil holding capacity, and emulsion activity. The hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses were associated with five distinct clusters of quinoa cultivars, each with unique techno-functional attributes, suggesting their potential for different food applications. These findings emphasize the need for further research to explore the performance of quinoa flours in specific food products and their impact on end-product quality.

Macronutrient composition of plant-based diets and breast cancer risk: the E3N prospective cohort study.

Recent evidence suggests that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of breast cancer (BC). However, the macronutrient composition of plant-based diets and its potential impact on BC risk has not been well explored. This analysis investigated the association of macronutrient composition with BC risk across a spectrum of plant-based diet indexes using a multidimensional approach. This study followed 64,655 participants from the Etude Epidémiologique auprès de femmes de la Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale (E3N) cohort from 1993 to 2014. Diets were evaluated using validated 208-item diet history questionnaires at baseline (1993) and follow-up (2005), to calculate adherence to the overall plant-based diet (PDI), healthful plant-based diet (hPDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet (uPDI). The association of macronutrient composition with BC risk was assessed via generalized additive time-dependent Cox models across different levels of these indexes. Response surfaces were generated to visualize compositional associations at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of each index (low, moderate, and high). A total of 3,932 incident BC cases were identified during the 21-year follow-up. There was a significant association between macronutrient composition and BC risk for hPDI, uPDI, and PDI (all P < 0.001). Akaike information criterion favored the hPDI model for characterizing the association between macronutrients and BC. BC risk was highest for individuals with a lower hPDI score who also consumed a diet containing lower protein (10%), lower carbohydrate (35%), and higher fat (55%). The lowest risk of BC was observed in those with higher hPDI scores with the lowest intake of protein (10%). At higher PDI and uPDI, diets containing higher protein (30%) and fat (45%) had the highest BC risk. These results demonstrate a complex relationship between macronutrient composition, plant-based diet quality, and BC risk. Further research is needed to examine specific foods that may be driving these associations. The protocol is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03285230.

Machine learning uncovers manganese as a key nutrient associated with reduced risk of steatotic liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects approximately 20%-30% of the general population and is linked to high-caloric western style diet. However, there are little data that specific nutrients might help to prevent steatosis. We analysed the UK Biobank (ID 71300) 24 h-nutritional assessments and investigated the association between nutrient intake calculated from food questionnaires and hepatic steatosis indicated by imaging or ICD10-coding. The effect of manganese (Mn) on subgroups with risk single nucleotide polymorphism carriage as well as the effect on metabolomics was investigated. All analyses are corrected for age, sex, body mass index, Townsend index for socioeconomic status, kcal, alcohol, protein intake, fat intake, carbohydrate intake, energy from beverages, diabetes, physical activity and for multiple testing. We used a random forest classifier to analyse the feature importance of 63 nutrients and imaging-proven steatosis in a cohort of over 25 000 UK Biobank participants. Increased dietary Mn intake was associated with a lower likelihood of MRI-diagnosed steatosis. Subsequently, we conducted a cohort study in over 200 000 UK Biobank participants to explore the relationship between Mn intake and hepatic or cardiometabolic outcomes and found that higher Mn intake was associated with a lower risk of ICD-10 coded steatosis (OR = .889 [.838-.943], p < .001), independent of other potential confounders. Our study provides evidence that higher Mn intake may be associated with lower odds of steatosis in a large population-based sample. These findings underline the potential role of Mn in the prevention of steatosis, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Artificial intelligence chatbots for the nutrition management of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in exploring AI-driven chatbots, such as ChatGPT, as a resource for disease management and education. The study aims to evaluate ChatGPT's accuracy and quality/clarity in providing nutritional management for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), the Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, in accordance with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' guidelines. Three nutrition management-related domains were considered: (1) Dietary management, (2) Nutrition care process (NCP) and (3) Menu planning (1500 kcal). A total of 63 prompts were used. Two experienced dietitians evaluated the chatbot output's concordance with the guidelines. Both dietitians provided similar assessments for most conditions examined in the study. Gaps in the ChatGPT-derived outputs were identified and included weight loss recommendations, energy deficit, anthropometric assessment, specific nutrients of concern and the adoption of specific dietary interventions. Gaps in physical activity recommendations were also observed, highlighting ChatGPT's limitations in providing holistic lifestyle interventions. Within the NCP, the generated output provided incomplete examples of diagnostic documentation statements and had significant gaps in the monitoring and evaluation step. In the 1500 kcal one-day menus, the amounts of carbohydrates, fat, vitamin D and calcium were discordant with dietary recommendations. Regarding clarity, dietitians rated the output as either good or excellent. Although ChatGPT is an increasingly available resource for practitioners, users are encouraged to consider the gaps identified in this study in the dietary management of T2DM and the MetS.

Flavours of Pictish life: using starch grains and phytoliths to trace late Roman and early medieval culinary traditions

Understanding the seasonal and daily aspects of late Roman and early medieval life in northern Britain has been hugely challenging due to a dearth of excavated sites and poor preservation of settlement features where identified. This problem has been compounded by a very limited historical record for this era and region. But a new generation of archaeological data has begun to illuminate the Picts, a group first mentioned in late Roman sources and one that went on to become the dominant kingdom of early medieval northern Britain. These new datasets include innovative microbotanical analyses that can shed light on Pictish foodways, including culinary traditions, and specific plant foods consumed. This study employs non-destructive microbotanical analysis of pot sherds from Pictish settlement contexts and human teeth from Pictish burials, examining the presence of starch grains and phytoliths from six prominent sites spanning the Pictish period (AD∼300 – 900). Our research confirms that cereals such as oats and barley were the primary plants cultivated, cooked, and consumed in northeast Scotland during the late Roman Iron Age and early medieval period. These microbotanical residues add detailed evidence to previous studies of isotopic, pollen, and trace macrobotanical proxies, but also offer fresh insights into the potential composition of specific Pictish meal types. The approaches outlined here have greatly expanded and enriched our understanding of the dietary habits and lifestyle of the Picts, an important, but under-researched group.

Assessment of Diet Quality Based on Selected Dietary Quality Indices and Consumption of Specific Food Items of Midwives Working on a Shift Schedule in Wroclaw, Poland.

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of diets among midwives working in a shift system and to analyze variations in their dietary habits according to their working hours. In a group of fifty midwives employed in four public hospitals in Wrocław, the HDI-2015, HEI-2015, AHEI-2010, and Mellen's DASH diet index were calculated. The significance of differences in terms of the prevalence of selected dietary habits, meal frequency, average content of selected food items, and the percentage of energy obtained from them was assessed. Over half of the diets of the participants exhibited low adherence to the selected dietary indices. Only the scores on Mellen's DASH diet index were significantly associated with other components of the diet. Diets scoring ≥ 4.5 points were characterized by significantly lower processed meat content, meal frequency, and energy value, as well as lower sugar content and lower dietary energy value, compared to diets scoring < 4.5 points. Regardless of their working hours, the diets of midwives are characterized by low quality. Therefore, it appears essential to introduce targeted educational programs and provide guidance on appropriate dietary models, such as the DASH diet.

Exploring the interplay between diet and oral inflammation

The relationship between diet and oral inflammation is intricate and significant, influencing overall periodontal health through various mechanisms. Nutritional factors such as vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds play pivotal roles in either exacerbating or mitigating inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. Vitamin C, essential for collagen synthesis and tissue repair, along with calcium, critical for bone health, are key nutrients that support periodontal health by reducing susceptibility to gingival inflammation and periodontitis. Polyphenols, abundant in fruits, vegetables, and tea, exhibit strong anti-inflammatory properties that protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in oral tissues. Dietary patterns also have a profound impact on oral health. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, has been associated with lower levels of periodontal inflammation due to its high content of antioxidants and polyphenols. Conversely, the Western diet, characterized by high consumption of refined carbohydrates, sugars, and saturated fats, is linked to increased periodontal disease risk, promoting hyperglycemia and insulin resistance that exacerbate inflammatory responses. Vegetarian and plant-based diets, which emphasize the intake of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods, are associated with better periodontal health markers, including lower bleeding on probing and reduced periodontal pocket depth. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients are crucial in combating oxidative stress and reducing inflammation, essential for maintaining oral health. Vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, and green tea polyphenols are particularly beneficial, reducing oxidative damage and inflammation in periodontal tissues. Dietary strategies incorporating these nutrients effectively support oral health and can be part of a comprehensive approach to preventing and managing periodontal disease. Diet plays a critical role in oral health, influencing periodontal inflammation through specific nutrients and overall dietary patterns. Emphasizing the intake of antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods, while minimizing harmful dietary components, is fundamental in promoting and maintaining periodontal health.

Increased intake of tree forage by moose is associated with intake of crops rich in nonstructural carbohydrates.

Animals representing a wide range of taxonomic groups are known to select specific food combinations to achieve a nutritionally balanced diet. The nutrient balancing hypothesis suggests that, when given the opportunity, animals select foods to achieve a particular target nutrient balance, and that balancing occurs between meals and between days. For wild ruminants who inhabit landscapes dominated by human land use, nutritionally imbalanced diets can result from ingesting agricultural crops rich in starch and sugar (nonstructural carbohydrates [NCs]), which can be provided to them by people as supplementary feeds. Here, we test the nutrient balancing hypothesis by assessing potential effects that the ingestion of such crops by Alces alces (moose) may have on forage intake. We predicted that moose compensate for an imbalanced intake of excess NC by selecting tree forage with macro-nutritional content better suited for their rumen microbiome during wintertime. We applied DNA metabarcoding to identify plants in fecal and rumen content from the same moose during winter in Sweden. We found that the concentration of NC-rich crops in feces predicted the presence of Picea abies (Norway spruce) in rumen samples. The finding is consistent with the prediction that moose use tree forage as a nutritionally complementary resource to balance their intake of NC-rich foods, and that they ingested P. abies in particular (normally a forage rarely eaten by moose) because it was the most readily available tree. Our finding sheds new light on the foraging behavior of a model species in herbivore ecology, and on how habitat alterations by humans may change the behavior of wildlife.

The prevalence of self-reported gluten sensitivity (SRGS) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)in a Brazilian community. A pilot study

Background – A significant number of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients report onset of symptoms after ingestion of a specific food, including those containing gluten. NCGS includes both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms which are related to the ingestion of gluten containing food-after exclusion of celiac disease (CD) and wheat allergy. The overlap between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and NCGS has been described but the knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of this clinical entity is incomplete. In Brazil, data on the prevalence of IBS and its association with food intolerance are scarce. Objective – To study the prevalence of SRGS in a group of volunteers diagnosed with IBS in a Brazilian community. Methods – A total of 400 volunteers over 18 years old were selected from students and staff of the Medical School of the Fluminense Federal University, Brazil. Participants completed a questionnaire divided in basic demographic information (age, sex), evaluation of IBS diagnosis in accordance with the Rome III criteria and self-reported food intolerance, including gluten. Results – Eighty-seven (21.7%) (Group I) [mean age 30.4±12.65 (77.4%) females] fulfilling the Rome III criteria for IBS. Twenty-six (32%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms after ingestion of food in general and 28 (32.1%) after gluten ingestion. Within the 313 volunteers non-IBS (78.2%) (Group II) [mean age 30.6±21.77, 215 (68.2%) females] 66 (21%) and 50 (15.9%) reported gastrointestinal symptoms after ingestion of food in general and gluten respectively. Demographic data (mean age and sex) were not statistically different when we compared the two groups of volunteers (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion – The report of gastrointestinal symptoms after ingestion of food in general and gluten-containing foods were statistically different in the two groups (p&lt;0.05). The interaction between IBS, food intolerance and NCGS needs to be better defined, since the role of diet in IBS and its feeding management is an essential condition for the treatment of most of those patients