Dietary Variables Research Articles

Helminths of the black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) from breeding colonies in north-central Poland

Among parasites of the digestive tract of the black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in Poland, the best known are species of digenetic trematodes and cestodes. Nematodes of this bird species are not well known. Black-headed gulls, due to their varied diet, migration, life in a flock, and changes of habitat, can become infected with various species of helminths, and like synanthropic birds, they can spread the dispersal stages of parasites across urban and recreational areas. In the present study, an attempt was made to identify the helminth fauna of C. ridibundus from breeding colonies in north-central Poland. The aim of the study was to describe the taxonomic structure of parasites of the digestive tract of the black-headed gull and determine the quantitative parameters of their occurrence. A total of 43 black-headed gulls were examined post-mortem for gastrointestinal helminths, resulting in the identification of four cestodes (Paricterotaenia porosa, Lateriporus clerci, Anomotaenia micracantha, and Wardium fusum), three trematodes (Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, Plagiorchis laricola, and Apophallus muehlingi), and three nematodes (Eucoleus contortus, Cosmocephalus obvelatus, and Porrocaecum ensicaudatum). Lateriporus clerci (in adult form), C. obvelatus and P. ensicaudatum (in larval form) were recorded for the first time in the black-headed gull in Poland.

P-159 Single-cell high-throughput methylation and transcriptomic analysis indicates variations in sensitivity to Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism in mouse preimplantation embryos

Abstract Study question Do Folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) supplements impose methylating conditions that influence methylation and transcriptomic profiles during preimplantation period of mouse embryos? Summary answer Subtle differences in embryo methylation profiles were induced by FOCM supplements, despite transcriptomic signatures remained stable and selective genes related to metabolism were activated. What is known already Previous human studies of populations affected by seasonal variations in diet including folate availability have shown methylation changes in specific loci known as metastable epialleles (MEs). MEs exhibit stability across tissues, indicating these could be potential biosensors for heightened sensitivity to external methylating influences in early embryonic stages. Despite significant progress in IVF embryo culture conditions, the sensitivity to the outer metabolic environment during the extensive genomic transformation of embryo reprogramming remains inadequately understood. Study design, size, duration This is a prospective experimental study conducted from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 111 fresh mouse zygotes (F1 hybrid (B6/CBA)) were subjected embryo culture conditions with different FOCM supplies of 5-MTHF and betaine up to expanded blastocyst stage (105 hours). At different timepoints, individual embryos were collected and disaggregated in individual cells for downstream single-cell analysis. Participants/materials, setting, methods Mouse zygotes were collected from the oviduct, washed and culture in KSOM supplemented with 5-MTHF and betaine at respectively concentrations of 50μM and 50μg/mL (THF/bet(50)), 10μM and 10μg/mL (THF/bet(10)) and no supplement till blastocyst stage at 37 °C, 6%CO2 and 5%O2. Individual embryos were collected at 2 cells, 4 cells, 8 cells, Morula and Blastocyst stage and disaggregated into single cells for subsequent single-cell RNAseq (SmartSeq2) and single-cell methylome analysis through Splinted Ligation Adapter Tagging (scSPLAT). Main results and the role of chance The methylation analysis conducted though scSPLAT revealed a comprehensive reduction in global methylation levels throughout developmental stages. Notably, zygotes exhibited a maximal proportion of methylated cytosines at CpG sites, while blastocysts displayed minimal methylation levels, with sporadic increases in isolated cells. Quantitative profiling indicated lower methylation intensities in treated embryos from zygote to 4 cells, followed by a reversal trend from 8 cells to blastocyst, suggestive of an enhanced assimilation of one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) supplements. Transcriptomic profiles obtained through scRNAseq exhibited correlation with developmental trajectories from zygote to blastocyst. However, no discernible variations were attributed to the combined exposure of Betaine and 5-MTHF. Gene enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes at various timepoints highlighted specific metabolic responses, including mitochondrial oxidative stress and variations in glutathione metabolism. This suggests that the folate forms utilized in this study may possess a protective role as antioxidants, contributing to the observed effects on gene expression during embryonic development. Limitations, reasons for caution The methylation analysis shown in this study was a pilot carried out with low coverage of sequencing deepness, further analysis are ongoing to increase reads coverage. Wider implications of the findings Exposure of mouse embryos to FOCM enhanced global methylation during cell division from 8 cells to blastocyst, indicating heightened assimilation during DNA synthesis. While the transcriptomic signature remained stable, increased expression of genes linked to mitochondrial oxidative stress and glutathione metabolism suggests FOCM’s potential antioxidant role. Trial registration number not applicable

Key co-expressed genes correlated with blood serum parameters of pigs fed with different fatty acid profile diets.

This study investigated how gene expression is affected by dietary fatty acids (FA) by using pigs as a reliable model for studying human diseases that involve lipid metabolism. This includes changes in FA composition in the liver, blood serum parameters and overall metabolic pathways. RNA-Seq data from 32 pigs were analyzed using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Our aim was to identify changes in blood serum parameters and gene expression between diets containing 3% soybean oil (SOY3.0) and a standard pig production diet containing 1.5% soybean oil (SOY1.5). Significantly, both the SOY1.5 and SOY3.0 groups showed significant modules, with a higher number of co-expressed modules identified in the SOY3.0 group. Correlated modules and specific features were identified, including enriched terms and pathways such as the histone acetyltransferase complex, type I diabetes mellitus pathway, cholesterol metabolism, and metabolic pathways in SOY1.5, and pathways related to neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease in SOY3.0. The variation in co-expression observed for HDL in the groups analyzed suggests different regulatory patterns in response to the higher concentration of soybean oil. Key genes co-expressed with metabolic processes indicative of diseases such as Alzheimer's was also identified, as well as genes related to lipid transport and energy metabolism, including CCL5, PNISR, DEGS1. These findings are important for understanding the genetic and metabolic responses to dietary variation and contribute to the development of more precise nutritional strategies.

Stable Isotope Analysis of La Playa and Broader Impacts

Knowledge of the Early Agricultural period (4100 to 1900 BP) has been saturated with data from sites spanning Northwestern Mexico and the American Southwest. As our understanding of the role of maize in Early Agricultural populations has grown, our understanding of the behavioral changes has also been affected. As a result, the methodologies of this study requires more than site level analyses, and integration into other crucial sites of the Early Agricultural period such as La Playa, Cerro Juanaqueña, and Casas Grandes. To understand the transition from mixed subsistence to the reliance on maize, multiple variables must be considered: ecology, stable isotope analysis, dietary variability, and behavioral changes. This article seeks to highlight the site of La Playa, in Northern Sonora, Mexico by focusing on the dependence on maize with δ13Ccollagen and δ13Capatite isotopes to evaluate the reduction of variability throughout the Early Agricultural period.

A cumulative human health risk assessment of the traditional diet of Indigenous youth in Western James Bay, Canada

Environmental contaminant exposure from traditional food consumption presents a risk for Indigenous youth (i.e., children and adolescents) who live in northern Canada; however, there are few studies targeting this demographic. Essential (Co, Cr, Mn, and Se) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Sb) metals and metalloids, and fourteen polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) congeners in 229 tissue samples of traditionally consumed foods were analyzed (i.e., birds, fish, and large mammals) using the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme protocol. Deterministic and probabilistic Monte Carlo risk assessments were used to estimate the risk of exposure to contaminants via the consumption of traditional foods; a maximum cumulative ratio calculation (MCR) to assess the risk of a varied diet of traditional foods for metals and metalloids was also carried out. There was a probabilistic risk of exposure to Hg from the consumption of pike, sucker, and walleye for children; the MCR supported the result that the risk was due mainly to Hg. Dietary exposure to PCB congener 153 (PCB-153) was primarily due to the consumption of pike and sucker. There was also a risk of exposure to three other PCB congeners (PCB-101, -180, -187) from the consumption of sucker. Our assessment indicates a risk of exposure to Hg and certain PCBs; however, the actual risk of exposure varies with season, differences in traditional food consumption, and local levels of the toxicant. Therefore, monitoring and communicating information to affected communities on an annual basis is recommended.

Health Information Source Patterns and Dietary Variety among Older Adults Living in Rural Japan.

Dietary variety is associated with some health outcomes among older adults. Rural areas, however, often have difficulty accessing health information that influences dietary variety. This study aimed to identify patterns of health information sources by using latent class analysis and assess their association with dietary variety among older adults aged ≥ 75 in rural Japan (n = 411). Three patterns of health information sources were identified: multi-sources (29.7%), television-only (53.5%), and non-sources (16.8%). In the multi-sources pattern, more people used television, radio, and newspapers. The television-only pattern had mostly television users, with fewer other sources. The non-sources pattern had many reporting "none." Logistic regression analysis revealed that the multi-sources pattern has a significant positive effect on dietary variety compared with the non-sources pattern (odds ratio: 5.434, 95% confidence interval: 1.792-16.472), even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and physical health status. These findings underscore the positive impact of broad access to health information on the dietary habits of older individuals. The study highlights the importance of promoting access to diverse health information sources to enhance dietary variety and overall well-being among rural older adults.

A bee's-eye view of landscape change: differences in diet of 2 Andrena species (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) between 1943 and 2021.

Declines in pollinating insects have been linked to changes in land cover, affecting the availability of nesting sites and floral resources. Our study is the first analysis of changes in pollen load composition of 2 mining bees, Andrena barbilabris (Kirby) and Andrena flavipes (Panzer) (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), at the same sites in central England, over 75 years. This provides a unique opportunity to remove spatial variation and review temporal changes in pollen diet within the context of landscape change. We analyzed modern-day pollen load composition for these species and compared it with historical data from the same sites. We then examined potential links between land-use change and the bees' diets. Both bees showed dietary flexibility and lower diet breadth for A. barbilabris, and the bees' foraging strategies appear to have changed. Andrena flavipes collected more pollen taxa in a single load, while A. barbilabris appeared to source pollen from greater distances. Landscape changes at the studied sites have affected the nutritional environment for these bees. Our findings are supported by an existing assessment of floral resources, which found floral diversity has decreased overall in both the habitats used by these bees. However, more research is needed on the nutritional content of pollens used by these bees, both now and historically, to estimate how pollen diversity has changed. The bee's-eye view underlines the importance of understanding how species respond to local changes so that effective conservation strategies can be developed.

Prevalence of Fluorosis in Endemic Area of Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh: A Pilot Epidemiological Survey

Abstract Background: A long-term excess of fluoride ingestion from drinking water, food substances, and industrial pollution may result in fluorosis, a public health hazard. This survey aims to investigate the prevalence of dental and skeletal fluorosis, as well as the role of dietary variables. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Sonebhadra district. The Dean’s Fluorosis Index and physical exercises demonstrated by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund for diagnosing dental and skeletal fluorosis, respectively. The dietary habits of the participants were ascertained using a prevalidated questionnaire. Results: The participants’ socioeconomic status varied widely with heterogeneity. The frequent abnormalities found were genu varum (21.5%), genu valgum (6.8%), dental fluorosis (52.3%), and skeletal fluorosis (25.8%). Consequently, eight cases reported of multiple deformities. Conclusion: The findings showed the increased prevalence of moderate-to-severe fluorosis in fluoride endemic areas of Sonebhadra district. Dental fluorosis was more common in those aged 18–64 years, particularly in males, but skeletal fluorosis increased with age.

Resource pulses shape seasonal and individual variation in the diet of an omnivorous carnivore.

Resource pulses are ecologically important phenomenon that occur in most ecosystems globally. Following optimal foraging theory, many consumers switch to pulsatile foods when available, examples of which include fruit mast and vulnerable young prey. Yet how the availability of resource pulses shapes the ecology of predators is still an emerging area of research; and how much individual variation there is in response to pulses is not well understood. We hypothesized that resource pulses would lead to dietary convergence in our population, which we tested by tracking both population-level and individual coyote diets for 3 years in South Carolina, USA. We (1) described seasonal dietary shifts in relation to resource pulses; (2) compared male and female diets across seasons; and (3) tested this dietary convergence hypothesis by quantifying individual dietary variation both across and within periods when resource pulses were available. We found that pulses of white-tailed deer fawns and blackberries composed over half of coyote diet in summer, and persimmon fruits were an important component in fall. Male and female coyotes generally had similar diets, but males consumed more deer in fall, perhaps driven by scavenging more. We found support for our dietary convergence hypothesis, where individuals had more similar diets during resource pulses compared to a non-pulse period. We also found that this convergence happened before peak availability, suggesting a non-symmetric response to pulse availability. We show that nearly all coyotes eat fawns, suggesting that targeted efforts to remove "fawn killers" would be in vain. Instead, given how quickly coyotes collectively converge on resource pulses, our findings show that resource pulses could potentially be used by managers to alter the behavior of apex predators. More broadly, we open a new line of inquiry into how variation in individual foraging decisions scales up to shape the effects of resource pulses on ecological communities.

39 Effects of feeding sun-dried bovine rumen contents on growth and carcass quality of New Zealand White rabbits

This research study aimed to investigate the impact of sun-dried bovine rumen contents (SDBRC) on the growth and linear body measurements of New Zealand White rabbits. The experimental rabbits (n=12) were selected from four New Zealand White bucks and subsequently allocated into three distinct treatments, each with specific dietary compositions. The control group was provided with a standard diet of rabbit pellets, while the experimental groups received rabbit pellets supplemented with 30% (Treatment A) and 40% (Treatment B) of SDBRC. All animals were subjected to consistent and meticulous livestock management practices throughout the 12-week experimental period. There were no significant differences in the growth of rabbits given rabbit pellets and 30% SDBRC. However, the live weight gain and final weights of rabbits on 40% SDBRC inclusion were significantly lower than the 30% SDBRC inclusion and the control (P<0.05). Parameters, such as total feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and dressing percentage were not significantly different (P>0.05). The linear body measurements (heart girth, body length, and abdominal circumference), were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by dietary variations. Carcass weight for the rabbits on 40% SDBRC inclusion was significantly lower than for rabbits on the control and 30% SBDRC inclusion diets (p=0.001). Other carcass parameters such as meat colour and pH exhibited no significant differences across all three treatments (p>0.05). These findings highlight the promising potential of incorporating SDBRC into rabbit diets, particularly up to 30%, without compromising growth performance and carcass characteristic.

The Role of Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: The complicated result of immune response dysregulation, genetic predisposition, and external factors combines to cause a condition called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An increasing number of studies have lately connected the onset and progression of bowel inflammation to the gut flora.Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to look at gut function microbiota in IBD, elucidate its mechanisms, identify potential therapeutic targets, and explore future directions in this rapidly evolving field.Methodology: To examine the function of the gastrointestinal tract A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Pakistan Academy of Medicine and Dentistry (PIMS) in Islamabad between April 2023 and March 2024. We recruited a total of 72 participants who had received a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel illness. (IBD), and we used next-generation sequencing methods to collect stool samples for microbiota characterization. Demographic information, disease characteristics, and dietary habits were assessed through structured questionnaires.Results: Analysis of stool samples revealed alterations in gut microbiota composition in IBD patients compared to healthy controls, including a reduction in microbial diversity (Shannon Index: 2.8 ± 0.6 in IBD patients vs. 4.2 ± 0.8 in healthy controls) and shifts in the relative abundance of major phyla (Proteobacteria: 25.7% ± 5.2% in IBD patients vs. 12.1% ± 3.5% in healthy controls; Firmicutes: 41.3% ± 8.1% in IBD patients vs. 58.9% ± 7.3% in healthy controls). Dietary elements, illness severity, and gut microbiota composition were linked in IBD patients. Promising anti-inflammatory compounds and regulating the diversity of bacteria were two of the prospective goals for therapy found.Conclusion: Our research establishes a dysbiotic gut microbiota in IBD and shows how it relates to dietary variables and the severity of the illness. A potential treatment strategy for IBD is to target the gut microbiota, but more investigation is required to fully understand the intricate relationships that exist between the gut microbiota, host characteristics, and environmental effects.Keywords: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) refers to a group of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract. The gut microbiota, which refers to the community of microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a significant role in the development and progression of IBD, dysbiosis, microbial diversity, disease severity, therapeutic targets

Identifying the barriers and facilitators to fruit and vegetable consumption in rural Australian adults: a mixed methods analysis

BackgroundLow fruit and vegetable consumption is a leading contributor to non-communicable disease risk. However, understanding of barriers and facilitators to fruit and vegetable intake in rural settings is limited. This study used a mixed methods approach to determine the barriers and facilitators to increasing fruit and vegetable intake in rural Australian adults and to identify if these varied by gender.MethodsQuantitative and qualitative data were used from the 2019 Active Living Census, completed by adults living in north-west Victoria, Australia. Data were collected on fruit and vegetable intakes and barriers and facilitators to meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between facilitators, classified using the socio-ecological framework, and meeting recommendations. Machine learning was used to automate content analysis of open ended information on barriers.ResultsA total of 13,464 adults were included in the quantitative analysis (51% female; mean age 48 [SE 0.17] years) with 48% and 19% of participants consuming the recommended two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables daily, respectively. Strongest facilitators to fruit consumption were at the individual level: never smoked (OR: 2.12 95% CI: 1.83–2.45) and not drinking alcohol (OR: 1.47 95% CI: 1.31–1.64). Strongest facilitators for vegetable consumption were found at all levels; i.e., individual level: used to smoke (OR: 1.48 95% CI: 1.21–1.80), social-environmental level: living with three or more people (OR: 1.41 95% CI: 1.22–1.63), and physical-environmental level: use community gardens (OR: 1.20 95% CI: 1.07–1.34). Qualitative analyses (fruit n = 5,919; vegetable n = 9,601) showed that barriers to fruit consumption included a preference for other snacks and desire to limit sugar content, whilst lack of time and unachievable guidelines were barriers for vegetables. Barriers and facilitators differed by gender; females experienced barriers due to having a more varied diet while males reported a dislike of the taste.ConclusionsBarriers and facilitators to fruit and vegetable consumption among rural Australian adults were identified across all levels of the socio-ecological framework and varied between fruit and vegetables and by gender. Strategies that address individual, social, and physical-level barriers are required to improve consumption.

Medical Comorbidities, Nutritional Markers, and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Youth With ARFID.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is common among populations with nutrition-related medical conditions. Less is known about the medical comorbidity/complication frequencies in youth with ARFID. We evaluated the medical comorbidities and metabolic/nutritional markers among female and male youth with full/subthreshold ARFID across the weight spectrum compared with healthy controls (HC). In youth with full/subthreshold ARFID (n = 100; 49% female) and HC (n = 58; 78% female), we assessed self-reported medical comorbidities via clinician interview and explored abnormalities in metabolic (lipid panel and high-sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and nutritional (25[OH] vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate) markers. Youth with ARFID, compared with HC, were over 10 times as likely to have self-reported gastrointestinal conditions (37% vs. 3%; OR = 21.2; 95% CI = 6.2-112.1) and over two times as likely to have self-reported immune-mediated conditions (42% vs. 24%; OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.9). ARFID, compared with HC, had a four to five times higher frequency of elevated triglycerides (28% vs. 12%; OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.7-10.5) and hs-CRP (17% vs. 4%; OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.4-27.0) levels. Self-reported gastrointestinal and certain immune comorbidities were common in ARFID, suggestive of possible bidirectional risk/maintenance factors. Elevated cardiovascular risk markers in ARFID may be a consequence of limited dietary variety marked by high carbohydrate and sugar intake.

Can biochemical tracers reveal ontogenetic trophic shift and individual prey selection in white sharks from Guadalupe Island, Northeast Pacific?

Refining the role of apex predators in marine food webs is a necessary step in predicting the consequences of their global decline under the footprint of fishing activities. White sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are vulnerable predators, performing large migrations and able to forage on a variety of prey in different habitats. In the Northeast Pacific, juvenile and adult white sharks are found seasonally at the same aggregation sites, such as Guadalupe Island off Mexico. While adults are thought to target local pinniped colonies, very few predator-prey interactions have been documented and the diet of juveniles in this area remains poorly understood. Here we used carbon/nitrogen stable isotopes and fatty acids to characterize the trophic ecology of white sharks at Guadalupe Island. In contrast to the ontogenetic trophic shift paradigm, we detected no influence of size on muscle stable isotope and fatty acid composition, revealing no significant dietary variation between juvenile and adult sharks. Stable isotopes did not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding the diet of white sharks at Guadalupe Island, due to significant variability in the contribution of different potential prey depending on the trophic discrimination factors used. However, most sharks were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as long-chain omega 3), suggesting a local diet of mainly pelagic prey (potentially large fish or cephalopods). A few individuals appeared to show recent consumption of pinnipeds, with higher proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. These individual differences in fatty acid composition could reflect an ecological trade-off between consumption of prey rich in fat (marine mammals) versus prey rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (pelagic prey), respectively meeting the energetic and physiological needs of white sharks. Although ontogenetic trophic changes were not able to be discerned, our results provide new insights into the physiological drivers of predator-prey interactions, which can benefit the definition of conservation strategies in a changing ocean.

How strongly does diet variation explain variation in isotope values of animal consumers?

How strongly does diet variation explain variation in isotope values of animal consumers?

Association between dietary variety status and sarcopenia as defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus in older outpatients at a hospital specializing in geriatric medicine: A cross‑sectional study with baseline data of prospective cohort study (JUSTICE‑TOKYO study).

To the best of our knowledge, little is known about the association between dietary variety status and sarcopenia in university-affiliated geriatric hospital in elderly. The present study aimed to investigate, in a multidisciplinary setting, the prevalence of sarcopenia and association between dietary variety status and sarcopenia in older outpatients at Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center (Tokyo, Japan). Between October 2020 and December 2021, a cross-sectional study of outpatients aged ≥65 years [458 male (44%) and 584 female (56%); mean age, 78.2±6.1 years] was conducted to assess prevalence of sarcopenia, according to Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria, and the relationship between dietary variety status and sarcopenia. Patient profile, comorbidities, drug use, neuropsychological data, abdominal symptoms, pulmonary function and dietary variety status were collected. Of 1,042 subjects, there were 223 (21.4%) with [142 male (63.7%) and 81 female (36.3%); mean age, 80.6±6.3 years] and 819 (78.6%) without sarcopenia [316 male (38.6%) and 503 female (61.4%); mean age, 77.6±5.8]. In multivariate analysis, older age, male sex, low body mass index, high Brinkman Index and phase angle, low quality of life, history of daycare use, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and low Mini-Mental State Examination and Dietary Variety Score were related to sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was higher in than in community-dwelling individuals. Dietary variety status was associated with sarcopenia.

Insights into the diet and feeding behavior of immature polar cod (Boreogadus saida) from the under-ice habitat of the central Arctic Ocean.

Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) is an endemic key species of the Arctic Ocean ecosystem. The ecology of this forage fish is well studied in Arctic shelf habitats where a large part of its population lives. However, knowledge about its ecology in the central Arctic Ocean (CAO), including its use of the sea-ice habitat, is hitherto very limited. To increase this knowledge, samples were collected at the under-ice surface during several expeditions to the CAO between 2012 and 2020, including the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition. The diet of immature B. saida and the taxonomic composition of their potential prey were analysed, showing that both sympagic and pelagic species were important prey items. Stomach contents included expected prey such as copepods and amphipods. Surprisingly, more rarely observed prey such as appendicularians, chaetognaths, and euphausiids were also found to be important. Comparisons of the fish stomach contents with prey distribution data suggests opportunistic feeding. However, relative prey density and catchability are important factors that determine which type of prey is ingested. Prey that ensures limited energy expenditure on hunting and feeding is often found in the stomach contents even though it is not the dominant species present in the environment. To investigate the importance of prey quality and quantity for the growth of B. saida in this area, we measured energy content of dominant prey species and used a bioenergetic model to quantify the effect of variations in diet on growth rate potential. The modeling results suggest that diet variability was largely explained by stomach fullness and, to a lesser degree, the energetic content of the prey. Our results suggest that under climate change, immature B. saida may be at least equally sensitive to a loss in the number of efficiently hunted prey than to a reduction in the prey's energy content. Consequences for the growth and survival of B. saida will not depend on prey presence alone, but also on prey catchability, digestibility, and energy content.

Associated Factors of Dietary Patterns among Adolescents in the Rural Northern Region of Thailand: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study aims to explore the dietary patterns and associated factors of adolescents, which are often overlooked in nutrition data systems. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 304 participants aged 10 to 19 in rural northern Thailand, utilizing both open recall and list-based 24 h recall techniques, with the data recorded online. Dietary diversity (DD) was assessed using ten food groups as per the Food and Agricultural Organization guidelines. We employed binary logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Most participants consumed items from the grains, white roots, and tubers food group, while the nuts, seeds, and pulses food group was the least consumed. The mean number of food groups consumed was 5.23 ± 0.12, with no significant differences across gender and age groups, and participants reporting no influence of mass media on food choices were more likely to have inadequate DD (AOR = 2.94; 95% CI 1.38-6.28). Conversely, those not influenced by social media when choosing food (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI 0.21-0.96), who felt relaxed during meals (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.19-0.59), and with no role in family meal decisions (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.31-0.95) were less likely to have inadequate dietary diversity. We suggest that assisting adolescents with mealtime management and involving them in selecting healthy menus could improve their dietary variety. Moreover, future research should further investigate these mechanisms to inform strategies for improving DD in this age group.

Diet overlap of overwintering migratory birds on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

Previous studies of overwintering migratory birds in neotropical environments have found that species co-occur in the same habitats despite high diet overlap. Hence, discovering subtle diet differences within habitats can help explain patterns in bird species diversity. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is an important region for overwintering migratory birds, but little is known about how habitat differences in food resources contribute to bird diversity. To address the knowledge gap, we compared the degree of overlap in the diet of all terrestrial migratory birds within and between mangrove and tropical dry forests on the Yucatan Peninsula’s northern coast. We collected data on the consumption of food items through direct observation of birds feeding on four transects in each habitat every week (12 weeks) during the non-breeding season (i.e., overwinter, December-February). We recorded 19 species, 15 species in mangrove and 15 species in forest, with 11 of those found in both habitats. In both habitats, diet overlap was high. However, species present only in the tropical dry forest had less overlap than species occurring in both habitats, indicating that diet specialization might restrict the range of habitats that a species can occupy. On the other hand, species present only in the mangrove had similar diet overlap to species present in both habitats. The diet variation that did exist was greater within than between habitats possibly due to intraspecific diet differences among different geographic locations. Although small, within-habitat diet differences might be key to allowing species to coexist locally in the Yucatan, thus supporting studies demonstrating a similar mechanism in other neotropical regions. More generally, the information we provide on bird diet can be used to discover whether threats like anthropogenic development precipitate species loss via altering the resource base upon which birds rely.

Association of newborn low birth weight and the diet quality of their mothers during pregnancy: A case control study in El Jadida province

BACKGROUND: Healthy eating habits among mothers both before and throughout pregnancy are beneficial for their own well-being, the fetus and the child in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the link between the quality of the diet of parturients and the birth weight of newborns. METHODS: The diversity scores (DDS) and dietary variety scores (DVS) were used to assess the quality of the diet, and the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and the nutrient adequacy ratio were calculated and compared in 200 parturients (Controls) who gave birth to normal-weight (NW) newborns and 200 parturients (Cases) who gave birth to low birth weight (LBW) newborns. RESULTS: Mean DDS was 7.01±1.36 in controls and 4.55±1.60 in cases. The mean DVS was 13.31±3.28 in controls vs 8.11±4.60 in the cases (P < 0.001). The MAR index of controls 0.84±0.004 was higher compared to cases 0.70±0.004. The lowest NAR values are found for calcium (0.60±0.02 vs 0.34±0.01), iron (0.66±0.01 vs 0.50±0.01), folates (0.68±0.011 vs 0.48±0.009) in controls and cases respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diets of women with LBW newborns do not meet the basic nutritional needs for a successful pregnancy and childbirth.