Search Results (132)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause hypersensitivity reactions and lead to anaphylactic shock. These drugs also act as cofactors in allergic reactions. Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), found in plants, represent a unique group of allergens in which cofactors play a crucial role. This case report describes a 26-year-old female who developed anaphylactic symptoms after ingesting grapes and taking ketoprofen. The patient experienced swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, as well as shortness of breath, dizziness, and loss of consciousness, after consuming grapes and taking ketoprofen. She had previously used ketoprofen and acetylsalicylic acid without issues but had developed urticaria on several occasions after consuming multi-ingredient dishes. Skin prick tests showed positive results for peanut and orange allergens. Further testing using the ALEX multiparametric test detected antibodies to several LTP allergens. Intradermal tests with ketoprofen yielded a positive result, although irritant reactions could not be ruled out. A provocation test with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) showed no adverse reactions. Skin tests with ibuprofen were negative, and provocation tests confirmed its tolerance. A diagnosis of LTP allergy and selective ketoprofen allergy was made, with the recommendation to avoid ketoprofen and follow a diet excluding foods from the LTP group. Full article

This study evaluated the antibacterial activity and residual functional compounds of blood orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) juice by-product extract (BJBE). The effects of dietary BJBE on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, immune parameters, and disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi were examined in juvenile black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). In total, 630 juvenile rockfish were randomly assigned to 21 rectangular tanks (50 L) for a feeding trial, with 30 fish per tank in triplicate. Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated with BJBE at 0 (control, BJBE0), 0.1 (BJBE0.1), 0.2 (BJBE0.2), 0.3 (BJBE0.3), 0.5 (BJBE0.5), 0.7 (BJBE0.7), and 1.0 (BJBE1) g kg⁻¹. A disk diffusion assay confirmed BJBE’s strong antibacterial efficacy against V. harveyi. After an 8-week feeding trial, fish fed BJBE0.7 and BJBE1 exhibited significantly a greater final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate compared with those fed BJBE0. Feed efficiency was significantly higher in fish fed BJBE0.7 than in those fed BJBE0. The protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in fish fed BJBE0.3, BJBE0.5, BJBE0.7, and BJBE1 relative to those fed BJBE0. Intestinal amylase activity was significantly higher in fish fed BJBE0.7 and BJBE1 compared with those fed BJBE0, and trypsin activity was significantly higher in BJBE0.7-fed fish than in BJBE0-fed fish. In comparison to the BJBE0 diet, the plasma superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels of fish fed BJBE0.7 and BJBE1 diets were significantly higher. Lysozyme activity and immunoglobulin M level in fish fed BJBE0.7 and BJBE1 were significantly higher than that in fish fed BJBE0. After a challenge with V. harveyi, disease resistance was significantly higher in fish fed BJBE0.5, BJBE0.7, and BJBE1 compared with those fed BJBE0. Overall, 0.7–1.0 g kg⁻¹ is proposed as the optimal dietary BJBE inclusion level for enhancing growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, immune parameters, and disease resistance against V. harveyi infection in juvenile black rockfish. Full article

Biological studies on symmetry can be expanded to consider red (longer wavelengths) and blue (shorter wavelengths) shifts as antisymmetries (opposite-pattern symmetries), which may arise from similar underlying causes (invariant process symmetries). In this context, classic shift asymmetries of redder plumage in response to higher dietary carotenoids appear conceptually incomplete, as potential blue-shifted counterparts were not considered. A latent symmetric response is highlighted by recent evidence showing that the maximum absorbance bands of various colorful plumage pigments are red-shifted in birds with ultraviolet-sensitive (UVS) color vision but blue-shifted in those with violet-sensitive (VS) color vision. Blue-shifted responses to increased dietary carotenoid contents may also be underestimated, as relevant studies have focused on species-rich but uniformly UVS Passerida passerines. This study explored the relationship between pattern–process symmetries and diets of VS Piciformes–Coraciiformes by gauging the responses of their plumage reflectance to a modified diet index (Diet_c), where the overall rank carotenoid contents of food items were weight-averaged by three levels of importance in a species’ diet. In the case of both sexes, the main long-wavelength reflectance band for the three carotenoid-based pigment classes defined the same graded series of blue shifts in response to higher Diet_c. Yellow showed a strong absolute (negative slope) blue shift, orange showed a weaker absolute blue shift, and red exhibited only a blue shift (flat, non-significant slope) relative to absolute red shifts (positive slope). The secondary shorter-wavelength reflectance band was also unresponsive to Diet_c in the VS Piciformes–Coraciiformes (relative blue shift) compared with earlier evidence for it decreasing (absolute red shift) at higher Diet_c in UVS species. Results for the intervening minimum reflectance (maximum absorbance) band were intermediate between those for the other reflectance bands. No pigment class monopolized lower or higher Diet_c, but red was less variable overall. Phylogenetic independence, sexually similar responses, and specimen preservation reinforced characterizations. A review of avian perceptual studies suggested that VS models discriminate yellows and oranges extremely well, consistent with the importance of the corresponding carotenoids as Diet_c indicators. Both UVS and VS species appear to produce putatively more costly and possibly beneficial carotenoid metabolites and/or concentrations in response to higher Diet_c, supporting underlying invariant processes in relation to carotenoid limitations and honest signaling despite opposite plumage shifts and their different chemical bases. In symmetry parlance, pigment classes (red) or wavebands (short) that lack responses to Diet_c suggest broken pattern and process symmetry. The biology of VS Piciformes–Coraciiformes may favor such exceptions owing to selection for visual resemblance and tuning specializations, although universal constraints on physical and chemical properties of (particularly red) carotenoids may favor certain functional tendencies. Thus, symmetry principles organize carotenoid diversity into a simplified and predictive framework linked to color vision. Full article

Fruit and vegetables (F&V) are recommended for a healthy life. Adolescence is a critical period for the onset of eating disorders and future health. F&V consumption among adolescents is globally low, making this group a key target for diet/nutrition-related interventions. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess F&V consumption among secondary school students in the food-insecure communes of Boukombe (rural) and Natitingou (urban), Benin. Using probabilistic random sampling, 303 students completed F&V intake frequency questionnaires and 24-h dietary recalls on school and non-school days. Poisson models identified factors associated with F&V consumption. The results showed that only 8.8% (Boukombe) and 11% (Natitingou) of students consumed fruit at least twice per day, and over 80% of students had not eaten fruit in the preceding 24 h; 9.9% and 11.4%, respectively, consumed vegetables at least twice per day. On average, 45.5% of students in Boukombe and 68% in Natitingou consumed at least three types of vegetables on school days. The most commonly consumed fruits were oranges in Boukombe and lemons in Natitingou. Factors influencing fruit consumption included sex (p = 0.005), age (p = 0.04), and mothers’ occupation (p = 0.03) on school days/and school or non-school days, while commune (p = 0.00017) and ethnic group affected vegetable consumption. Such low F&V consumption among surveyed students is a matter of public health concern, as it is likely to affect their health―in terms of micronutrient deficiency―and intellectual performance. These results should incentivize nutrition researchers, project managers, public health officials, and policymakers to (re)design and implement broader measures targeting secondary school students’ dietary practices to increase their F&V consumption. Full article

This study examined the effects of incorporating processed (hydrolysed) (POP) and unprocessed (non-hydrolysed) (UOP) orange peels into the diets of lactating ewes on the proximate composition, fatty acid profile, antioxidant properties, physicochemical characteristics, and sensory attributes of traditional sheep milk yoghurt. Thirty-six Chios breed ewes were divided into three dietary groups: POP, UOP, and a conventional control diet (Control). Yoghurt produced from the UOP and POP diets had higher protein content (5.93 and 5.53%, respectively) and fat content (6.79 and 6.24%, respectively) compared to the Control (5.42% for protein and 6.06% for fat). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the nutritional indices of yoghurt fat. The determination of antioxidant activity showed no significant differences among the groups using the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods, whereas significant differences were observed when measured with the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Textural analysis revealed that UOP yoghurt had greater firmness and cohesiveness. The whiteness index of yoghurt across all treatments remained consistent during storage, maintaining the desirable visual characteristics of traditional sheep milk yoghurt. Syneresis levels were similar across all groups, indicating no negative effects on yoghurt stability. Sensory evaluation confirmed the high acceptability of yoghurt produced from both experimental diets. These findings highlight the potential of orange peels as a sustainable feed additive, with no adverse effects on the nutritional, functional, or sensory properties of dairy products, while contributing to effective waste valorisation. Full article

Objectives: This longitudinal study measured changes in adherence to sustainable healthy diets in 698 Chilean children (aged 3–6 years at baseline) over the period that Chile’s Food Labelling and Advertising Law was implemented. Methods: Dietary data were collected annually from 2016 to 2019 applying single multiple-pass 24 h dietary recalls to children’s primary caretakers. The Planetary Health Diet Index for Children and Adolescents (PHDI-C) was used to quantify adherence to sustainable healthy diets where higher scores indicate better adherence. Linear mixed models were fitted to estimate the change in PHDI-C total and individual component scores from 2016 to 2019. Results: Mean total PHDI-C score decreased from 50.1 points in 2016 to 46.3 and 46.1 in 2018 and 2019, respectively (p-value < 0.001), suggesting that children’s overall adherence to sustainable healthy diets was low and decreased over time. Intake of legumes, fruits, dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, and vegetable oils decreased, while intake of palm oil, red meats, and animal fats increased, resulting in small but significant declines in eight PHDI-C component scores. Whole cereal intake increased, while the consumption of dairy products and added sugars decreased, resulting in improvements in three PHDI-C component scores. Conclusions: Aside from the decrease in added sugar intake, all dietary changes observed in this study were consistent with trends described among children transitioning from pre-school age to school age. The Law might have contributed to reducing children’s added sugar intake, but further research is required to establish causality. Full article

The distribution of oral pathogens is influenced by genetic background, diet, socioeconomic status, and racial factors. This study aimed to assess the distribution and characteristics of oral pathogens based on blood glucose levels in a South Korean population. This cross-sectional, retrospective study included subjects from 17 health promotion centers in 13 South Korean cities between November 2021 and December 2022. Real-time multiplex PCR was used to detect 10 periodontitis-related pathogens, 6 dental caries-related pathogens, and 1 dental caries-protective bacterium. The most prevalent periodontitis-related pathogens were Parvimonas micra (97.6%), Porphyromonas endodontalis (96.8%), and Treponema socranskii (95.0%). Among dental caries-related pathogens, Streptococcus sanguinis and Veillonella parvula were found in all subjects. The prevalence of periodontitis-related pathogens was higher in males, while pathogens related to periodontitis and dental caries were more prevalent in older individuals. In the diabetes group, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, red and orange complexes, and Streptococcus mutans were more prevalent. The relative amount of S. sanguinis was lower, while V. parvula was higher in individuals with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence and composition of oral pathogens vary by sex, age, and blood glucose levels. Diabetic individuals showed a pathogenic community structure linked to increased risks of periodontitis and dental caries. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide, and the process of cardiac remodeling lies at the core of most of these diseases. Sustained cardiac remodeling almost unavoidably ends in progressive muscle dysfunction, heart failure, and ultimately death. Therefore, in order to attenuate cardiac remodeling and reduce mortality, different therapies have been used, but it is important to identify adjuvant factors that can help to modulate this process. One of these factors is the inclusion of affordable foods in the diet with potential cardioprotective properties. Orange juice intake has been associated with several beneficial metabolic changes, which may influence cardiac remodeling induced by cardiovascular diseases. Current opinion highlights how the metabolites and metabolic pathways modulated by orange juice consumption could potentially attenuate cardiac remodeling. It was observed that orange juice intake significantly modulates phospholipids, energy metabolism, endocannabinoid signaling, amino acids, and gut microbiota diversity, improving insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Specifically, modulation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) metabolism and activation of PPARα and PPARγ receptors, associated with improved energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress, showed protective effects on the heart. Furthermore, orange juice intake positively impacted gut microbiota diversity and led to an increase in beneficial bacterial populations, correlated with improved metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that orange juice may act as a metabolic modulator, with potential therapeutic implications for cardiac remodeling associated with cardiovascular diseases. Full article

Background and aims: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is a healthy dietary pattern associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases. However, adherence is declining, particularly among younger populations. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the main aspects that affect its adherence, particularly food preferences and sensory function, which have received insufficient attention. Our aims were to investigate the impact of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors on adherence to the MedDiet among young individuals; to assess the association of taste preferences and food liking with MedDiet adherence; and to evaluate the associations between taste perception modalities, taste and food preferences, and adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional study on young adults (aged 20.5 ± 4.7 years) in a Mediterranean country (n = 879) was carried out. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle characteristics, MedDiet adherence, taste preferences, and food preferences were assessed. Taste perception for bitter, salty, sweet, sour, and umami was determined by rating different concentrations of prototypical tastants. We computed a total taste perception score and three scores to combine food preferences. Results: We identified several socio-demographic and lifestyle factors associated with adherence to the MedDiet, as well as food preferences, taste preferences, and taste perception determinants. Food preferences were significantly associated with total adherence to the MedDiet. Higher preference for olive oil, oranges, broccoli, fish, and legumes was associated with higher MedDiet adherence (p < 0.05 for all). Conversely, higher preference for sweet foods, red meat, and butter was associated with lower adherence (p < 0.05 for all). The combined positive score for food preference was strongly associated with higher MedDiet adherence (p = 1.4 × 10⁻²³) in the multivariate adjusted model. The combined negative food preference score was inversely associated (p = 1.9 × 10⁻⁸). Likewise, taste preferences were significantly associated with adherence to the MedDiet (strong inverse association for sweet taste preference and direct association for bitter taste preference; both p < 0.001). Moreover, bitter taste perception was inversely associated with adherence to the MedDiet and with bitter foods (p < 0.05). In conclusion, future precision nutrition studies should measure food liking and taste preferences, which are crucial determinants of MedDiet adherence, especially in young people. Full article

Carotenoids, the bright yellow, orange, and red pigments of many fruits and vegetables, are essential components of the human diet as bioactive compounds not synthesized in animals. As a staple crop potato has the potential to deliver substantial amounts of these nutraceuticals despite their lower concentration in tubers compared to edible organs of other plant species. Even small gains in tuber carotenoid levels could have a significant impact on the nutritional value of potatoes. This review will focus on the current status and future perspectives of carotenoid biofortification in potato with conventional breeding and biotechnological approaches. The high biodiversity of tuber carotenoid levels and composition is presented, with an emphasis on the under-exploited native germplasm that represents a wide reservoir of useful genetic variants to breed carotenoid-rich varieties. The following section describes the structural genes involved in carotenoid metabolism and storage known to have a major impact on carotenoid accumulation in potato, together with the strategies that harnessed their expression changes to increase tuber carotenoid content. Finally, the little information available on the regulation of carotenoid metabolism and the desirable future advances in potato carotenoid biofortification are discussed. Full article

In this study, the impact of leonardite as a feed additive in goldfish diets was examined, focusing on its potential to positively influence feed and water parameters, which are critical for achieving sustainable ornamental fish farming. In this study, goldfish were fed diets containing four different levels of leonardite (0%, 2%, 6%, 10%). The experiment was conducted in 12 tanks with 3 replicates per treatment and lasted for 3 months. The fish, which were provided from the Research, Production and Training Institute, with an average live weight of 0.947 ± 0.03 g and an average length of 1.12 ± 0.02 cm, were used. After 90 days, it was observed that the specific growth rates increased in correlation with the amount of leonardite in the diet, with a statistically significant difference identified (p < 0.05). In this study, which investigated the coloration of fish with leonardite added to the feed for the first time, it was determined that the color of the fish approached from yellow to orange as the amount of leonardite added to the feed increased (p < 0.05). Given the positive effects observed on pigmentation and growth in this study, it is recommended that further detailed investigations be conducted on leonardite, a natural, harmless, and cost-effective additive, using different fish species. Full article

In this investigation, collagen was successfully extracted from the skin and fins of the orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, with recovery rates of 4.45% and 23.65% (dry weight basis), respectively. UV–Vis spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated distinct absorbance peaks at 222 nm and 217 nm for collagen isolated from the skin and fins, correspondingly. Both collagen sources were confirmed to be type I, characterized by the presence of two α-chains (α1 and α2), with glycine as the predominant amino acid, an absence of tryptophan, and a notable content of proline and hydroxyproline. The enzymatic hydrolysis of fin-derived collagen using pepsin yielded low-molecular-weight peptides (PHC), which were subsequently incorporated into the diet of 1.5-year-old zebrafish, either alone or in combination with glucosamine (GC), to assess their biological effects. After eight weeks of dietary supplementation, zebrafish fed PHC or the combined PHC + GC diets exhibited a significant upregulation of sox9a (jef) expression in spinal tissues, accompanied by a marked downregulation of runx2. Although the differences in swimming performance among the groups were not statistically significant, zebrafish that received PHC or the combined supplements demonstrated enhanced endurance compared to the control group. These results suggest that collagen sourced from grouper may have advantageous effects in supporting cartilage health in aged zebrafish. Furthermore, utilizing fish by-products for collagen extraction enhances resource efficiency and aligns with circular economy principles. Full article

Background: This experiment evaluated whether the combination of essential oils (thyme, rosemary, orange) with extracts of Cinnamomum and Quillaja saponaria (enriched with tocopherols) in steers’ diet has positive effects on the health, digestibility, growth, oxidative stress, and fatty acid profile of meat. Methods: The experiment included 24 Holstein steers, divided into two groups, randomly divided (treated = phytogenic mixture (n = 12); control = monensin (n = 12)), undergoing a growth phase of 120 days and 90 days of finishing in individual pens, with a monthly collection of blood, rumen fluid, feces, and feed. Results: In the finishing phase (days 150 to 210), there was a tendency (p = 0.07) toward more significant average daily weight gain when cattle consumed a phytogenic mixture than monensin. The use of the phytogenic product showed greater feed efficiency in the period from 150 to 240 days (p < 0.05), with higher levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), without differences in the composition of these SCFAs between the control and treated groups, with a reduction in apparent digestibility in the treated group. In blood parameters, the treated group showed higher erythrocyte counts (p < 0.05) without changes in leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and platelets. The phytogenic treatment demonstrated higher total protein and globulin levels, with increased glucose levels on days 30 and 210 (p < 0.05). Ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin levels increased in the treated group without changes in ferritin, transferrin, C-reactive protein, IgA, and heavy-chain immunoglobulins (p < 0.05). A reduction in oxidative stress was observed using the phytogenic agent, with a marked decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbonyl proteins, with a tendency to increase glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.05). In meat, the phytogenic reduced saturated fatty acids with increased polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased the omega 6/omega 3 ratio. Lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ROS were detected in the meat combined with a higher concentration of total thiols in the treated group than in the control group. Conclusions: The use of the phytogenic in steers’ diets has shown to be a viable candidate for replacing monensin, presenting equal or superior performance results with systemic modulating effects on oxidative stress, meat quality, and serum and biochemical parameters that contribute to more substantial health and efficiency. Full article

This study evaluated bioactive compounds in blood orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) peel (BOP) as dietary additives. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation on the growth performance, body composition, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant capacity, and immune response of juvenile black rockfish. A total of 1260 juvenile rockfish (1.4 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed into seven treatment groups, each with 50 fish per circular tank. The groups were fed seven different diets containing graded levels of 0 (control, BOP0), 1 (BOP1), 2 (BOP2), 3 (BOP3), 5 (BOP5), 7 (BOP7), and 10 (BOP10) g kg⁻¹, respectively. The BOP10 diet significantly enhanced the final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and protein retention in fish. The BOP treatments notably affected the fishes’ whole-body crude protein and lipid contents. Plasma total cholesterol levels of fish fed the BOP0 and BOP1 diets were significantly higher than those fed the BOP7 and BOP10 diets. The activities of trypsin and lipase were significantly affected by dietary BOP levels. The antioxidant enzyme activity in the plasma of fish fed the BOP10 diet was significantly higher than those fed the BOP0 diet. The lysozyme activity and levels of immunoglobulin M and G in fish fed the BOP0 diet were significantly lower than those in fish fed the BOP10 diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of BOP at 10 g kg⁻¹ improved the growth performance and overall health of juvenile black rockfish. Full article

Carnosine is a natural dipeptide made up of L-histidine and β-alanine which is rich in muscle tissues and has multiple physiological functions. The current research aimed to investigate the effects of varied carnosine concentrations in low-fishmeal feed on the growth, muscle antioxidant capacity and flesh quality of orange-spotted grouper. Carnosine was supplemented at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mg/kg in low-fishmeal feed. Seven groups with three tanks of fish (11.4 ± 0.1 g/fish) were allotted one of the diets during the 8-week feeding trial. The growth rate, body protein content, muscle activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and muscle adhesiveness showed positive linear response and/or an open upward parabola with increasing carnosine concentrations, with a peak at 160 mg/kg of carnosine. Feed utilization, serum total protein content, gut trypsin activity, muscle glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, muscle hardness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience followed the same pattern as the growth rate, reaching a peak at 320 mg/kg of carnosine; while the opposite trend was observed, reaching a minimum at 320 mg/kg for muscle malondialdehyde and 160 mg/kg for muscle liquid and water loss. The results indicated that appropriate carnosine addition could improve growth performance, muscle antioxidant capacity and flesh quality of grouper. The suitable inclusion concentration was estimated to be 195.14 mg/kg to achieve the best percent weight gain. Full article