Search Results (706)

Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased globally, particularly in developed countries. UPFs are energy-dense and nutrient-poor, and they often contain additives that can disrupt gut flora and increase intestinal permeability. There is evidence to suggest that processed foods may contribute to the onset of IBD and also impact its progression and response to treatment. This study investigated whether children with IBD consume more UPFs than healthy controls and examined the association between UPF intake and disease activity. Methods: This pilot cross-sectional case–control study recruited children with IBD from the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic at the Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute in Budapest, Hungary, between December 2023 and February 2025. Age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were also enrolled. Dietary intake was assessed using two days of 24 h recalls. UPF intake was categorized using the NOVA system and expressed as a percentage of total daily energy intake. Results: A total of 47 children with IBD were matched with HCs. There was no difference in total energy intake between the two groups. Children with UC had a significantly higher intake of UPFs than HCs (MD: 10.5%, p = 0.02), whereas no difference was observed in children with CD after excluding oral nutritional support. No difference in UPF intake was observed between children with active or inactive disease. However, children receiving biological therapy consumed significantly fewer UPFs than those receiving other treatments (MD: 8%, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Children with IBD consume more UPFs compared to HC. The UPF intake of children with CD was not lower than healthy children despite the recommended Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED). Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutrition during the reproductive years shapes women’s immediate health, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term offspring well-being. This position paper narratively synthesizes and critically appraises evidence on how dietary patterns, macro-/micronutrients, and supplementation influence women’s health, female fertility, and reproductive outcomes, to inform practical recommendations. Methods: We narratively reviewed recent reviews, cohort studies, clinical trials, and public-health guidance on macronutrients, key micronutrients, dietary patterns (with emphasis on the Mediterranean diet), ultra-processed food (UPF) intake, and targeted supplementation relevant to menstrual, metabolic, cardiovascular, skeletal, and reproductive outcomes. Results: Balanced, diverse diets rich in whole and minimally processed foods support hormonal regulation, ovulatory function, healthy gestation, and chronic-disease risk reduction. Priority nutrients include iron, folate, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, vitamin B12, and long-chain omega-3s (DHA), with supplementation considered when dietary intake or bioavailability is inadequate. Evidence consistently links Mediterranean-style eating to improved metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, IVF success, lower gestational diabetes risk, and favorable neonatal outcomes. High UPF consumption is associated with poorer diet quality, inflammation, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and potential reproductive impairment, warranting a reduction in favor of nutrient-dense foods. Diet also influences cardiovascular and bone health through effects on lipids, glycemia, blood pressure, and mineral/vitamin status, with fiber-rich carbohydrates, unsaturated fats (notably olive oil), and adequate calcium–vitamin D emerging as central levers. Conclusions: For women of childbearing age, a Mediterranean-aligned, minimally processed dietary pattern—tailored to individual needs and complemented by prudent use of folate, iron, vitamin D, calcium, B12, and DHA when indicated—offers robust benefits across reproductive, metabolic, cardiovascular, and skeletal domains. Public-health actions should improve access to healthy foods, curb UPF marketing, and embed personalized nutrition counseling in routine care; further longitudinal research from preconception through postpartum is needed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is increasingly implicated in metabolic diseases; however, evidence for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and potential sex differences remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between UPF consumption and NAFLD stratified by sex in Korean adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of Korean adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2021 (n = 24,587). UPF intake was quantified as the percentage of NOVA Group 4 items consumed in total daily food weight based on a 24 h recall. The participants were grouped into quartiles of UPF intake. NAFLD was defined using the hepatic steatosis index. Survey-weighted models were used to summarize the characteristics and estimated odds ratios (ORs) for NAFLD across the UPF quartiles with adjustment for factors associated with both NAFLD and dietary intake. Linear trend tests across quartiles and continuous analyses of UPF intake were performed, with sex-stratified models to assess potential effect modification. Results: NAFLD prevalence increased as UPF intake quartile increased, from 19.1% in Q1 to 24.1% in Q4. With Q1 as reference, the fully adjusted OR for Q4 was 1.24 (95% CI, 1.10–1.41, p for trend = 0.001). In the sex-stratified analyses, the association was only significant in women (Q4 vs. Q1: OR, 1.52, 95% CI, 1.28–1.81; p for trend < 0.001). When UPF intake was modeled as a continuous variable, NAFLD risk showed a modest overall increase, with a nearly flat pattern in men and a clear linear increase in women. Conclusions: Higher UPF intake is associated with a greater risk of NAFLD in Korean adults, with a more pronounced association in women. Thus, UPF consumption is a feasible modifiable target for liver health. Full article

Objective: Fatty acids (FAs) play a pivotal role in brain development and cognitive functions during adolescence. We aimed to investigate the association of red blood cell (RBC) FA patterns and several high order neuropsychological functions in adolescents. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional design. Principal component analysis was applied to 22 FA species previously measured in RBC membranes (exposure variable) to identify FA principal components (PCs) from two cohorts of adolescents in Catalonia, Spain (mean age = 14.53 years). Multiple linear regression was then used to examine associations between PC FAs and cognitive outcomes—working memory, fluid intelligence, and risky decision-making (gain and loss domains). Regression models were adjusted for child sex, age, body mass index, maternal education, and cohort enrollment. Results: Three FA PCs (eigenvalues > 2.0) were retained for the current study: a very-long chain FAs PC, a long-chain omega-6 FA PC and an omega-3 FA PC. The omega-3 FA PC showed a positive association with scores of fluid intelligence (${\beta }_1$ = 0.14, CI = 0.05, 0.24, p for trend = 0.003) and risky decision-making (loss domain) (${\beta }_1$ = 0.27, CI = 0.03, 0.52, p for trend = 0.030). The very-long chain FAs and long-chain omega-6 FAs patterns showed no significant associations with any cognitive outcome. The PC of omega-3 FA and fluid intelligence associations remained significant after multiple testing corrections. Conclusions: After applying an agnostic approach of multiple FAs in RBC, we found omega-3 FA patterns were positively associated with fluid intelligence among adolescents. Full article

The valorization of wood vinegar from biomass pyrolysis has been a significant research subject in recent years, but further studies to reduce its phytotoxicity and improve agricultural applications are still needed. This study investigates the application of ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes in treating the wood vinegar from grape pomace pyrolysis, aiming to valorize it. Wood vinegar treated with nanofiltration (NF270 membrane) and diluted 100 times acted as a root growth inducer in cucumber seeds, achieving a germination index of 145%. This interesting result suggests that nanofiltration is emerging as a promising technology for enhancing the value of wood vinegar, while also promoting sustainability and the circular economy in the agro-industrial sector. Full article

Background/Objectives: The global increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) parallels the rise in obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases. Although several large-scale studies associate UPF intake with adverse health outcomes, the biological mechanisms remain unclear. Epigenetic alterations, such as changes in DNA methylation, may represent a potential pathway by which diet influences metabolic health. The aim of this study was to investigate whether higher UPF consumption is associated with genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study with exploratory epigenetic analysis. We selected 30 women, who were divided into tertiles based on their UPF consumption (expressed as a percentage of total energy intake) according to the NOVA food classification system. Dietary intake was assessed using a three-day food record. Anthropometric data, body composition and laboratory parameters were evaluated. The analysis of DNA methylation was performed utilizing DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of participants in the first and third tertiles of UPF consumption. Genome-wide methylation patterns were performed using next-generation sequencing. Results: Participants had a median (IQR) age of 31 years (26.0–36.5) and a BMI of 24.7 (23.6–35.8) kg/m². For the epigenetic analyses, 15 women were included. Of the 30 women initially evaluated, 20 were included as they belonged to the first and third tertile of UPF consumption. Of these, five were excluded due to a low number of reads obtained by NGS. A total of 80 differentially methylated regions were identified between groups, most of which were hypomethylated in the high-UPF-intake group. Conclusions: High UPF consumption was associated with altered DNA methylation patterns, suggesting a potential epigenetic mechanism underlying the negative health effects of UPFs. This pilot study provides a model for future research with larger samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: This scoping review aims to identify and map out the current state of research on the relationship between ultra-processed foods (UPF) intake and disease activity and symptoms in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A search strategy was developed using key terms, and the search was conducted through the PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Theses and Dissertations databases to identify relevant studies. Data were comprehensively extracted, analyzed, and synthesized. Results: A total of 18 studies were included in the review: 7 on UPF and 11 on food additives. Most prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies suggested a positive association between UPF intake and IBD activity, measured using disease activity indexes and fecal calprotectin (FC) as an inflammatory marker. Trials excluding food additives from the diet provided inconclusive evidence regarding their effectiveness in reducing IBD symptoms or disease activity. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests potential links between UPF and food additive intake and IBD outcomes. Yet, heterogeneity in UPF definitions, variability in additive formulations, and the lack of standardized dietary assessment methods limit definitive conclusions. Future studies should integrate standardized exposure assessment methods with validated outcome measures to better clarify the role of UPF and food additives on IBD trajectory. Full article

The persistent contamination of water bodies by organic compounds, heavy metals, and pathogenic microorganisms represents a critical environmental and public health concern worldwide. In this context, polymer composite materials have emerged as promising multifunctional platforms for advanced water purification. These materials combine the structural versatility of natural and synthetic polymers with the enhanced physicochemical functionalities of inorganic fillers, such as metal oxides and clay minerals. This review comprehensively analyzes recent developments in polymer composites designed to remove organic, inorganic, and biological pollutants from water systems. Emphasis is placed on key removal mechanisms, adsorption, ion exchange, photocatalysis, and antimicrobial action, alongside relevant synthesis strategies and material properties that influence performance, such as surface area, porosity, functional group availability, and mechanical stability. Representative studies are examined to illustrate contaminant-specific composite designs and removal efficiencies. Despite significant advancements, challenges remain regarding scalability, material regeneration, and the environmental safety of nanostructured components. Future perspectives highlight the potential of bio-based and stimuli-responsive polymers, hybrid systems, and AI-assisted material design in promoting sustainable, efficient, and targeted water purification technologies. Full article

Processed and ultra-processed foods (PF/UPFs) are becoming a significant public health concern because of their concerningly high nutrient content, including sodium, and rapidly increasing consumption, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to analyze sodium levels in commonly consumed PF/UPFs in Bangladesh, compare them to the WHO’s sodium benchmarks, and assess the discrepancies between label-reported and laboratory-analyzed sodium content. A countrywide cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults, adolescents, and children to identify commonly consumed PFs/UPFs. Most common PF/UPFs were analyzed using Mohr’s titration method to estimate sodium content. Discrepancies between actual content and labels were analyzed, accepting a ±20% deviation, to determine gaps. Among the 974 participants surveyed, PF/UPF consumption in the past week was 97%, with higher consumption among metropolitan and urban residents. Amount of sodium, analyzed in 105 PF/UPF across 14 WHO categories and sub-categories, varied by categories, with soups, instant noodles, and chutneys having the highest. Compliance with the WHO’s sodium benchmarks was inconsistent across categories. The accuracy of label reporting was suboptimal, with under-reporting in 40% of products and a lack of sodium labelling in 9%. These findings unveiled high sodium intake from PFs/UPFs and inaccurate labelling as public health concerns in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for appropriate policies and strategies. Full article

The search for sustainable development has led several production processes to adopt biorefineries. We evaluated the cultivation of Spirulina platensis and Scenedesmus obliquus in consortium (50/50%), with the addition of effluent of the anaerobic digestion (AD) of cattle waste, in fed-batch mode, to obtain biomass in 10 L raceways. Subsequently, cultivation was carried out at pilot scale in a 100 L raceway. Zarrouk medium (20%) was used, with the addition of 10% (v/v) of effluent in the fed-batch process. The biomasses were characterized to evaluate their application. In 10 L raceways, higher biomass concentrations were obtained in the cultivation of Spirulina with the addition of effluent, or with the microalgae consortia without the addition of effluent (around 1 g/L). The addition of the effluent reduced the carbohydrate content and increased the protein content during the cultivation. Scale-up (100 L raceways) with Spirulina showed similar results to those obtained in the 10 L raceways, with removals of 48%, 88% and 11% for COD, nitrogen and total phosphorus, respectively. The cultivation of microalgae in consortium and Spirulina can be used in the post-treatment of effluent of AD, allowing the production of biomass for different applications. Full article

Background/Objective: Temporal eating patterns and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption have independently been associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases. Little is known about the temporal patterns of UPF consumption, as data is challenging to collect. Temporal data can be extracted from mobile food records (mFRs). The aim of this study was to identify the temporal eating patterns of those consuming UPFs using an mFR. Methods: A combined sample of 243 young (18–30 years) and 148 older (>30 years) adults completed a 4-day mFR. The time of eating was extracted from the mFR image metadata. UPFs were identified using the NOVA food classification system. The proportion of total energy intake (EI) from UPFs was calculated hourly. Using chi-square tests, a day-of-the-week analysis compared weekends (Friday–Sunday) with weekdays (Monday–Thursday). A multivariate logistic regression of UPF EI terciles was conducted, expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The proportion of total EI from UPFs was significantly different between younger adults (mean ± SD = 48.8 ± 15.6%) and older adults (36.1 ± 15.1%) (p < 0.001). Age-differentiated 24 h temporal eating pattern analysis found that younger adults had two distinct UPF EI peaks, with the highest at 8 pm, followed by 1 pm. Older adults followed a more conventional three-meal pattern with an additional peak at 7 am. Weekend UPF EI was higher than on weekdays for older adults (~560 kJ, p = 0.003), with no difference for younger adults. Multivariable logistic regression found no significant associations between UPF intake terciles and demographic variables (sex, BMI, education). Conclusions: The peak UPF EI occurred at conventional mealtimes, and UPFs accounted for a substantial proportion of energy intake, especially for younger adults. The timing of UPF EI provides important information for developing public health nutrition interventions. Full article

An assembly line is a manufacturing process commonly used in the production of commodity goods. The assembly process is divided into elementary tasks that are sequentially performed at serially arranged workstations. Among the various challenges that must be addressed during the design and operation of an assembly line, the assembly line balancing problem involves the assignment of tasks to different workstations. In its simplest form, this problem aims to distribute assembly operations among the workstations efficiently. An efficient line is one that optimizes a specific objective function, usually associated with maximizing throughput or minimizing resource requirements. In this study, we adopt a bi-objective approach to find a Pareto set of efficient solutions balancing throughput and resource requirements. To address this problem, we propose a multi-objective evolutionary method, complemented by single- and multi-objective local search procedures that leverage a polynomially solvable case of the problem. We then compare the results of these methods, including their hybridizations, through a computational experiment demonstrating the ability to achieve high-quality solutions. Full article

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are increasingly consumed worldwide, particularly during childhood, raising growing concerns for health. Although UPFs have been associated with obesity and cardiometabolic disorders, emerging evidence suggests a potential role also in respiratory and allergic diseases. This review critically examines the epidemiological evidence and biological mechanisms linking UPF consumption to respiratory and allergic outcomes in children. To this end, a structured literature search was conducted in the PubMed database, including articles published between 2006 and 2025, selected based on their relevance to the association between UPF consumption and asthma, wheezing, or food allergies in the pediatric population. Four cohort studies on asthma and wheezing, conducted mainly in Brazil and Spain, and two cross-sectional studies—including one global multicenter study—were identified. In addition, four pediatric studies on food allergies from Europe and South America were found, consisting of two cohort studies and two cross-sectional studies. The proposed mechanisms include disruption of the gut barrier, microbiota dysbiosis, chronic inflammation through the AGE–RAGE axis, skewing of immune responses toward a Th2 profile, and indirect effects through obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. Similar pathways may promote allergic sensitization and the development of food allergies. Although current evidence supports the potential role of UPFs in pediatric respiratory and allergic diseases, further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed. Meanwhile, promoting fresh and minimally processed dietary patterns may help protect children’s respiratory and immune health. Full article

In response to the challenges of electric mobility in off-grid contexts, this study introduces a novel and pragmatic solution: an intelligent, embedded EV charging system capable of anticipating energy availability using external weather forecasts. An embedded Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme was implemented on an ESP32 microcontroller, incorporating real-time solar and wind forecasts transmitted via LoRa. Unlike conventional approaches that are often centralized or resource-intensive, the proposed architecture enables localized, forecast-aware decision making, while respecting physical constraints (SOC, power limits, system stability) within the limits of embedded hardware. The proposed system was fully validated through functional simulations (data acquisition, processing, display, and physical actuation). Results confirm the feasibility of real-time, stable, and proactive energy management, laying the foundation for smart, resilient, and autonomous renewable-based EV charging stations tailored to remote areas and decentralized microgrids. Full article

Background/Objectives: The consumption of highly palatable ultra-processed foods (UPFs), enriched in sugar, saturated fat, and salt, increases the risk of morbidity and mortality by inducing obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of a UPF-rich diet on adiposity, feeding behavior, glucose homeostasis, intestinal barrier markers, expression of inflammatory cytokines, and microbiota in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Methods: Animals received a chow diet or a UPF diet for 10 (UPF10) or 30 days (UPF30). UPF10 induced greater calorie intake as early as 10 days on a UPF diet. Fat accumulation occurs in both sexes, specifically after 30 days of exposure. Results: The duration of UPF exposure significantly influenced glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. A 10-day UPF diet was associated with lower fasting blood glucose levels, without higher insulin levels, in both sexes. Females showed early impairment in glucose tolerance. Male mice on UPF30 exhibited elevated systemic IL-6 levels, as well as reduced intestinal expression of Occludin and E-cadherin genes. In females, UPF30 increased TNF-α expression in the gut and increased microbial diversity. Both sexes displayed dysbiosis, with females showing pronounced changes in the proportion between predominant phyla, and males showing more specific changes in bacterial genera. Conclusions: A diet high in UPFs promoted metabolic, inflammatory, and gut microbiota alterations, with effects varying according to exposure duration and biological context, and becoming more pronounced after 30 days. Full article