Search Results (4,193)

Oxidative stress appears to be implicated in both the initiation and progression of autoimmune thyroiditis. Selenomethionine, which exhibits antioxidant properties, has been shown to reduce thyroid antibody titers in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Recent evidence suggests that vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant, may protect against the development of autoimmune thyroiditis, and that its supplementation has been associated with improvements in female sexual function. The objective of the present pilot study was to determine whether vitamin E intake modulates the effects of selenomethionine on female sexual function and depressive symptoms in individuals with thyroid autoimmunity. The study enrolled three groups of reproductive-age women with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis, with 26 participants in each group. The groups were matched for age, thyroid peroxidase antibody titers, and TSH levels and differed according to vitamin E intake: adequate intake (group A), low intake (group B), and high intake (group C). All participants received selenomethionine supplementation (200 µg/day) for six months. Antibody titers and hormone levels were measured, and participants completed questionnaires assessing female sexual function (FSFI) and depressive symptoms (BDI-II). At baseline, no differences in biochemical outcomes were observed between the groups, except for testosterone levels. The study groups differed in sexual desire and arousal domain scores, which were higher in group A than in the other two groups. Total FSFI scores, the remaining FSFI domain scores, and BDI-II scores did not differ between groups at baseline. Across all groups, selenomethionine reduced thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibody titers and increased SPINA-GD and the ratio of free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine; however, the effects on antibody titers were most pronounced in group A. An increase in SPINA-GT and testosterone levels following selenomethionine supplementation was observed only in group A. In this group, selenomethionine also led to significant improvements in total FSFI scores and all individual domain scores. In contrast, in the remaining groups, the effects of supplementation were limited to increases in domain scores for lubrication, sexual satisfaction, and pain. A treatment-related reduction in total BDI-II scores was observed exclusively in women with adequate vitamin E intake. These findings suggest, for the first time, that dietary intake of a natural antioxidant may influence the effects of exogenous selenomethionine on sexual function and depressive symptoms in reproductive-age women with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis. Full article

Crude glycerin (CG) is an energy-dense ingredient capable of partially or fully replacing corn in high-concentrate diets for ruminants. Its rapid ruminal absorption, favorable fermentative profile, and absence of lactic acid production may support safer adaptation to intensive feeding systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing corn with CG (300 g/kg DM) on growth performance, feeding behavior, rumen morphometry, and proteomic responses of ruminal papillae in feedlot lambs. Sixty-five Santa Inês × Dorper lambs were assigned to either a control diet or a diet containing CG and were evaluated during pre-adaptation, adaptation, and finishing phases. Replacing corn with CG slightly reduced average daily gain (p = 0.02), without affecting final body weight, dry matter intake, or carcass yield (p > 0.05). Lambs fed CG exhibited lower subcutaneous fat thickness (p = 0.04) and reduced neutral detergent fiber intake during feeding behavior assessments (p < 0.05). Rumen papillae showed higher mitotic index and greater epithelial activity throughout the feedlot period, regardless of treatment. Proteomic analysis revealed upregulation of proteins involved in epithelial integrity (Claudin-1, Occludin) and mitochondrial energy metabolism (ATP synthase β, glycerol kinase) in CG-fed lambs, alongside downregulation of proteins related to oxidative stress and inflammation (HSP70, Annexin A1, SOD1, Peroxiredoxin-6). These findings demonstrate that CG promotes beneficial molecular adaptations in the ruminal epithelium without compromising carcass traits, supporting its use as a safe, functional, and sustainable alternative to corn in lamb finishing systems. Full article

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a major legume in Mediterranean agroecosystems. This study systematically evaluates 15 autochthonous white clover populations from the Trikala region of Greece, focusing on chemical composition and derived nutritional indices relevant for germplasm characterization and breeding. Fifteen local populations were evaluated under controlled pot cultivation over two consecutive years. Clonal plants were harvested at the early flowering stage. Key traits—crude protein (CP), Ash, Fat, crude fibre (FIBRE), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), and relative feed value (RFV)—were measured. Combined ANOVA revealed significant differences among populations for all traits (p ≤ 0.001), while genotype × year interactions were present but generally minor compared to genotypic effects. Broad-sense heritability was high across most traits (H² = 90.8–99.4%), demonstrating strong genetic control. CP showed positive correlations with DDM, DMI, and RFV, whereas ADF and NDF were negatively correlated with intake and digestibility. Canonical and discriminant analyses showed that a reduced set of traits (CP, Ash, FIBRE, RFV) contributed strongly to differentiation among populations. Hierarchical clustering (heatmap) confirmed these groupings based on fibre and digestibility-related traits. Populations such as Dendrochori and Gorgogyri consistently showed favorable chemical and nutritional profiles, while Fiki and Dendrochori showed the highest stability across years. The present study highlights substantial genetic variability among local white clover populations and identifies trait structures of relevance for germplasm characterization. These findings enhance the characterization of genetic diversity in Trifolium repens and support its potential use in future breeding research under Mediterranean environments. Full article

Milk production in tropical smallholder systems is constrained by limited high-quality roughage during the hot–dry season. Sweet sorghum silage is drought-tolerant and may replace corn stover silage. Twelve Holstein–Friesian crossbred cows were assigned to the same commercial concentrate plus either corn stover silage or sweet sorghum silage as the primary roughage source (n = 6 per diet). Intake, apparent digestibility, milk yield and composition, and feed-use efficiency were evaluated on day 15 and 30 and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with cow as a random effect. Compared with corn stover silage, sweet sorghum silage increased dry matter intake (p < 0.05) and improved the digestibility of fibre fractions, including crude fibre, NDF and ADF (p ≤ 0.003), while crude protein- and nitrogen-free extract digestibility were not different (p > 0.05). Milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and feed-use efficiency indices were unaffected by silage source (p > 0.05). Milk protein concentration was higher with sweet sorghum silage (treatment effect p < 0.05), whereas milk fat and lactose were unchanged. Sweet sorghum silage can therefore replace corn stover silage in tropical dairy diets, improving intake and fibre utilization without compromising milk output. Full article

Background: Children and adults with Trisomy 21 are more likely to develop nutrition-related conditions and diseases. The nutrition-related health of Canadians with Trisomy 21 is unknown. We aimed to determine the nutrient intake and physical activity of school-aged children with Trisomy 21 in Manitoba, Canada. Methods: Mothers of 14 school-aged children (n = 7 female, average age 9 years old) with Trisomy 21 completed a 24 h dietary recall and a survey that included questions about their children’s nutrition and physical activity. Nutrient intake analysis was conducted to compare food and beverage consumption with dietary guidelines and nutrient recommendations. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Most children with T21 included in this study consumed an adequate average intake of daily protein, carbohydrate, and iron; an inadequate average intake of daily dietary fibre and calcium; and an excessive average daily intake of added sugars and saturated fat. Notably, all children consumed inadequate vitamin D and excessive sodium. Most children consumed a dietary supplement (10/14), engaged in moderate-intensity physical activity (10/14), and were active for more than 60 min per day (12/14). Conclusions: Most children with Trisomy 21 included in this study met daily physical activity recommendations. However, despite a variety of foods reportedly consumed across all food groups, nutrient intake among school-aged children with Trisomy 21 included in this study was mixed, as both deficiencies and excessive amounts of some nutrients were observed. There is a need to improve the nutrient intake of children with Trisomy 21 to reduce their risk of developing nutrition-related conditions and diseases. Full article

Background: Migration from low- and middle-income to high-income settings is often accompanied by dietary and lifestyle changes that may increase long-term risk of non-communicable diseases. African migrants represent a growing but under-studied population in Australia, with limited evidence on post-migration nutrition transitions and associated chronic disease risk. This study examined changes in diet and lifestyle among Nigerian-born adults before and after migration to Australia and explored any association with chronic diseases. Methods: A pilot cross-sectional study was conducted among adults who migrated from Nigeria to New South Wales, Australia, between 1992 and 2019. Data were collected via a culturally adapted, self-administered online questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, dietary intake, lifestyle behaviours, and self-reported chronic conditions in the 12 months immediately before and after migration. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and proportions) and inferential analyses (Chi-square tests, McNemar test, and the Bowker test) were used to compare pre- and post-migration behaviours and examine associations with chronic disease outcomes. Results: Ninety-three participants completed the survey (mean age 37.0 ± 7.2 years; 50.5% male). Post-migration, regular breakfast consumption declined (−24.3%), while irregular eating (low and moderate) patterns increased (+7.6% and +16.7%). Regular vegetable intake improved (+5.4%), whereas fruit intake remained low (13.0%). Regular consumption of Nigerian local foods decreased markedly (−53.7%), while regular intake of meat (+18.5%), dairy foods, fats (+14.3%), and non-alcoholic beverages increased (+22.8%). Salt use shifted away from the highest-risk category (−22.2%), and smoking and alcohol consumption remained low and stable. Self-reported chronic conditions were uncommon; hypertension (6.5%) and obesity (5.4%) were the most frequently reported. Conclusions: Nigerian migrants in Australia experience substantial post-migration dietary and lifestyle transitions that may elevate long-term chronic disease risk despite a currently low reported disease burden. Early, culturally responsive nutrition and lifestyle interventions are needed to support healthy adaptation and prevent the progression of cardiometabolic conditions in this growing migrant population. Full article

Excessive sodium intake is a major dietary concern, leading to recommended reductions in several food categories, including cheese. This study aimed to evaluate how cheese composition and texture influence sodium release and perceived saltiness during consumption. Semi-hard cheeses (SHCs) with varying compositions were analyzed for chemical composition, rheological properties, and sensory attributes using quantitative descriptive analysis, temporal sodium release and saltiness intensity. Most compositional factors affected the sensory characteristics of SHCs and the dynamic perception of saltiness. In particular, salt level influenced not only the perceived intensity of saltiness but also bitterness, acidity, overall aromatic intensity, and numerous textural characteristics. The fat content also influenced texture perception and masked taste attributes. Moreover, both sodium release and saltiness perception decreased with increasing fat content. These findings highlight the importance of compositional and textural factors in modulating salt perception and provide useful insights for developing reduced-salt cheeses with acceptable sensory qualities. Full article

Background: Risk of malnutrition among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can reach up to 60%, with prevalence rates as high as 24%. Dietary management for PD patients is a promising adjuvant therapy that may improve some motor and non-motor symptoms. However, there is limited information regarding nutrient intake and adherence to recommended dietary requirements in this population in Lithuania. Methods: In this case–control study conducted at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos (2023–2025), usual dietary intake was assessed using two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Intake was compared with Lithuanian Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) values. Associations between nutrient intake and selected non-motor symptoms were analyzed. Results: Fifty-nine patients with PD and 54 controls were included and compared with RDI; patients with PD had lower intakes of dietary fiber (20.63 g/day), vitamin A (627.15 μgRE/day), and vitamin D (3.18 μg/day), alongside a higher energy contribution from total sugars (11.31 E%). Less than half met RDI for protein, fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) energy contribution, vitamins E and C, calcium, and zinc. Compared with controls, PD patients consumed more dietary fiber, plant protein, and total carbohydrate and had a higher carbohydrate-derived energy contribution. PD patients with depressive mood consumed fewer carbohydrate, dietary fiber, plant protein, and some vitamins and minerals compared to those without. Conclusions: Patients with PD had higher total sugar-derived energy consumption and lower dietary fiber and vitamin D intake than the RDI. There were differences in dietary intake among PD patients with and without specific non-motor functions. Full article

Background: The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) produces and distributes serotonin, while the hypothalamus (HYP) uses serotonergic signals to regulate physiological processes in chickens. Coconut oil (COCO), rich in medium-chain fatty acids, is rapidly absorbed without re-esterification. Methods: Day-old broilers (Ross 708 male, n = 160) were distributed into two dietary treatments with five replicates of 16 birds each. The birds were fed a corn–soybean meal (SBM) basal diet supplemented with 3% of poultry fat (CON) or coconut oil (COCO). The body-weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded over a 3-week period, and the data were subjected to a t-test. Untargeted metabolomic analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-MS) was used to evaluate the influence of the type of dietary fat on metabolite profiles in the DRN, HYP, and plasma of broiler chickens. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify unique metabolites, and ANOVA was used to identify the metabolites that were significantly abundant (p < 0.05). The metabolites were then annotated using the KEGG and HMDB databases. Results: Birds in the COCO treatment gained more weight on average (0.8446 kg/bird) than birds in the CON group (0.8132 kg/bird; p = 0.0496). Five metabolites associated with multiple significant cellular processes, such as brain function, energy metabolism, and neurotransmission, showed similar differential expression patterns, while two metabolic pathways (butanoate metabolism and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism) were identified. Conclusions: The dietary inclusion of COCO improves BWG in poultry and enhances their overall well-being by modulating metabolite profiles, supporting neurotransmission, and enriching the metabolic pathways essential for growth and brain function. Full article

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are reactive compounds formed through the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids due to exposure to reducing sugars. They accumulate through endogenous metabolic dysregulation and exogenous dietary intake, particularly high-fat and high-sugar foods prepared at high temperatures. The interaction between AGEs and their receptor, RAGE (receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products), has been implicated in a range of pathological conditions, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, the impact of AGEs accumulation on neurodevelopment remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of AGEs on human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cerebral organoids comprising neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Our findings reveal that AGEs induce RAGE expression, leading to microglial activation, increased deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates, and impaired neurodevelopment. Additionally, elevated levels of AGE-modified proteins, along with altered microglial polarization, were observed in cerebral organoids modeling Western Pacific Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism–Dementia Complex (ALS-PDC). These findings demonstrate AGEs as active drivers of neurodevelopmental disruption and establish a mechanistic link between metabolic stress and increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Children and adolescents exposed to criminal victimization are at increased risk for depression; however, the contribution of nutritional status to depressive symptom severity in this vulnerable population remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to examine the associations between depression severity and nutritional parameters in child and adolescent victims of crime. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 72 children and adolescents (aged 10–16 years) referred to a forensic medicine department in Türkiye. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements (body weight, body mass index [BMI], BMI-Z score, and body fat percentage), three-day dietary records, and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). Depression severity was evaluated using the Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS). The associations were analyzed using Pearson’s rho correlation and forward stepwise linear regression. Potential confounding variables, including age, gender, socioeconomic status, and trauma-related characteristics, were recorded and considered during the analysis; however, due to the limited sample size and to avoid model overparameterization, they were not fully adjusted for in the final model. Results: Depression severity was positively correlated with the body weight, BMI, BMI-Z score, body fat percentage, and dietary energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intakes (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the vitamin C and dietary fiber intakes, breastfeeding duration, and KIDMED scores were negatively correlated with the KADS scores (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the lower KIDMED scores, higher body fat percentage, and greater body weight were significantly associated with depression severity, collectively explaining 82.2% of the variance in the KADS scores. Conclusions: Poor diet quality and adverse body composition are strongly associated with depression severity in child and adolescent victims of crime. These findings suggest that nutritional factors may be associated with depression severity in child and adolescent victims of crime; however, the results should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating. Full article

3-Monochloropropanediol esters (3-MCPDEs) and glycidyl esters (GEs) are food processing contaminants that raise significant food safety concerns due to their established potential for carcinogenicity. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of 3-MCPDEs and GEs in common Malaysian food items and to evaluate the associated health risks through dietary exposure assessment. A total of 251 samples, consisting of retail products and cooked/prepared meals, were analysed using GC-MS. The food consumption data were obtained from published national food surveys. Risk was characterised using health-based guidance values (HBGVs) and margin of exposure (MOE), lifetime cancer risk (LCR), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) estimates. 3-MCPDE was detected in 94.8% of samples (range: ND to 7.77 mg/kg), while GE was found in 83.3% of samples (range: ND to 9.41 mg/kg). The highest levels were consistently observed in refined vegetable fats and oil products, specifically shortening (3-MCPDE: 3.53 [IQR 2.76–5.16] mg/kg; GE: 4.78 [IQR 3.52–6.14] mg/kg) and margarine (3-MCPDE: 2.50 [IQR 1.11–3.59] mg/kg; GE: 3.60 [IQR 1.18–5.26] mg/kg). Exposure assessment identified fried rice as the largest contributor to total daily intake (3-MCPDE: 3.16 μg/kg BW/day; GE: 1.36 μg/kg BW/day). Total exposure to 3-MCPDE exceeded the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) established by JECFA by 39.5%, indicating a potential health concern. Low MOE estimates (<10,000) for 3-MCPDE and GE were determined for several food categories, including snacks, kuih-muih, and fried cooked dishes. Chronic GE exposure was estimated to cause up to 6.9 (for mean consumers) and 24.9 (for high consumers) cancer cases per year, with total the DALYs quantified at 124.2 years lost per 100,000 of the population. These data represent a worst-case scenario; however, risks could be minimised through continued surveillance, mitigation strategies by relevant authorities regarding food processing, and informed dietary choices. Full article

Eating behavior requires a balance between metabolic and hedonic components. Anxiety and dietary type may influence the quantity, patterns, and other aspects of food intake. Modern diets, especially in Western societies, often contain high levels of calories from fat and simple sugars (e.g., cafeteria-style diets). This type of diet may promote overweight and/or obesity in some, although many consumers remain at a normal weight. The mechanisms underlying susceptibility or resistance to weight gain remain unclear. Here, Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed a cafeteria diet for 10 weeks and then classified into quartiles based on body mass. We evaluated locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors and analyzed hypothalamic proteomics in overweight (Q4) rats compared with underweight (Q1) rats. Our results showed that locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors did not differ across quartiles (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the expression of several hypothalamic proteins differed between Q4 and Q1 rats. Functional enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed proteins (p ≤ 0.05) revealed changes in cytoskeleton dynamics, synaptic communication, energy production and utilization, biosynthesis of cellular components (including nucleotides and carbohydrates), and regulation of metabolism between Q1 and Q4 rats. Neuro-humoral hypothalamic output regulates metabolism and food intake. Therefore, these functional changes in the hypothalamus may be associated with rats’ susceptibility/resistance to weight gain. Full article

Blood metabolism in dairy cows is crucial for milk quality, functioning primarily through the “blood–milk” metabolic axis. Allium mongolicum Regel (AMR), a functional Allium herb, has been shown to regulate on ruminant lipid metabolism. This study investigated the impact of AMR ethanol extract (AME) on lactation performance, blood lipid parameters, and blood–milk metabolomes. Twelve mid-lactation Holsteins (606 ± 11 kg; milk yield 33.14 ± 2.08 kg/d) of parity 2–3 were assigned to either a basal diet (CON) or a diet supplemented with 54 g/d of AME (AEE). Results indicated that AME significantly decreased plasma triglycerides (TG), C15:0, C16:1, C18:1 n-9 c, C18:3 n-6, monounsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05) and significantly increased C18:2 n-6 c, polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). Lactation performance, including the average daily dry matter intake, daily yields of milk fat, protein and lactose, remained unaffected by the AME addition (p > 0.05). Metabolomic profiling revealed that AME significantly enriched the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway in plasma, upregulating key phospholipid precursors such as L-serine and Sphinganine. Concurrently, milk metabolomics showed an upregulation of short-chain Acylcarnitines. Plasma TG correlated negatively with both plasma L-serine and milk Acylcarnitines, whereas low-density lipoprotein correlated positively with these energy-driven milk metabolites. These findings suggest that AME may contribute to remodeling the plasma lipid metabolic profile in a manner that could facilitate plasma-to-milk lipid flux. This appears to occur through enhanced hepatic lipid processing and increased mammary lipid utilization, offering preliminary insights into potential nutritional strategies for supporting lipid metabolism in dairy cows. Full article

Background: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), however, the association between specific dietary habits and sexual function among men with cardiac diseases remains insufficiently characterized. The objective of the present study was to analyze associations among obesity-related factors, dietary habits, and ED in cardiac patients. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed in adult men with coronary artery disease (CAD). Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Dietary habits were self-reported. Multivariable analyses were conducted to assess associations between demographic and dietary factors with IIEF scores. Results: 589 patients were included (mean age 60.1 ± 9.7 years; range 28–85). ED was present in 76% of participants, and 81% had excess body weight. Age demonstrated the strongest negative association with IIEF score. Adherence to a low-fat diet was associated with nearly a 2-point higher IIEF score, while each additional daily serving of vegetables was associated with an approximately 0.7-point increase in the IIEF score. Conclusions: Simple dietary modifications, particularly reduced fat intake and increased vegetable consumption, are associated with better erectile function in men with CAD. These findings suggest that dietary factors may be associated with erectile function; however, further prospective and interventional studies are needed to assess their clinical relevance. Full article