Promoting fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption is a public health priority. This study assessed compliance with the international recommendation of consuming at least 400g of F&V daily among Mexican adults and analysed its association with the five stages of behaviour change from the Transtheoretical Model (Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation for action, Action, and Maintenance). Using data from 5203 adults (ages 20–59) in the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey, dietary intake was collected via a food frequency questionnaire. Compliance was defined dichotomously (Yes/No), and readiness to change was assessed using a specific survey module. Multiple logistic regression models examined the association between stages of change and compliance, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics, as well as perceived barriers and self-efficacy. Nationally, 26.3% of adults met the F&V recommendation. Compliance was significantly higher among individuals in the Preparation for action (OR 3.62, 95% CI: 1.82–7.19), Action (OR 4.50, 95% CI: 1.8–11.25), and Maintenance (OR 9.54, 95% CI: 4.76–19.13) than those in the Precontemplation stage. Higher compliance was also significantly associated with greater self-efficacy (OR 1.86, 95% CI: 1.4–2.47), being in the highest socioeconomic tertile (OR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.25–2.33), and living in the central region (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.18–2.45). Conversely, individuals reporting a dislike for vegetables were less likely to meet recommendations (OR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48–0.94). These findings highlight the value of developing stage-tailored interventions that consider both psychological and structural barriers to improve F&V consumption.

Collaborative governance among multiple stakeholders is typically essential for conserving complex social-ecological systems. Mexico’s ‘biocultural landscapes’ – a territorial governance initiative – may be seen as pioneering models to promote this. However, actual outcomes depend on the initial conditions, institutional design, leadership and details of the collaborative process. We used a mixed-methods approach combining social network analysis and semi-structured interviews to analyse the structure of the collaboration network within Mexico’s Sierra Occidental Biocultural Landscape (SOBL). Our findings revealed a sparse, low-reciprocity network dominated by a few public managers, indicating potential power imbalances and challenges to building trust. Stakeholder interviews showed misalignments with theoretical collaborative governance including power imbalances, limited inclusiveness and a lack of trust among participants. While the SOBL has achieved collaborative results, such as the community forest fire brigades and the development of land management plans, achieving its full potential as a model for biocultural conservation requires addressing power dynamics and building a more equitable governance structure.

Different cutting intervals can influence crop development. Therefore, knowledge of the interaction between growth factors and soil-plant-atmosphere conditions can contribute to the efficient cultivation of forage cactus. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphophysiological characteristics, production, and water and economic indicators in forage cactus clones subjected to different cutting interval. The study was conducted in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, in a 3x4 factorial arrangement, with three forage cactus clones (‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana, OEM’ – Opuntia stricta; ‘Miúda’ and ‘IPA Sertânia’ – Nopalea cochenillifera) and four cutting intervals (6, 9, 12+6 and 18 months) in randomized blocks, with four replications. Biometric and productive measurements were performed to determine the phenophases and cutting times. The components of the soil water balance (SWB) were considered at a depth of 0.60 m and the indicators were analysed. The Absolute Growth Rate - AGR and Relative Growth Rate - RGR were higher for the OEM clone at a interval of 18 months. The highest productions of fresh mass (FM) (286.4 Mg/ha) and dry matter (DM) (21.4 Mg/ha) occurred in the OEM clone regardless of the cutting interval. The MIU clone presented three phenophases. The water use efficiency indicator (*WUEc, 1.5 kg/m3) and crop water productivity (*WPc, 1.3 kg/m3) were improved in treatments with the OEM clone, as well as the gross economic productivity of water via irrigation (PBEAi, 2.98 US$/m3). It is recommended to cultivate the OEM clone of forage cactus, regardless of the cutting interval, to provide greater productivity and economic benefits.

Zoos and aquaria have an ethical responsibility to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care. Developing and implementing an animal welfare strategy is central to fulfilling this obligation. An animal welfare strategy is a comprehensive framework that integrates animal welfare into all zoo operations, policies, and procedures, aiming to embed effective animal welfare practices across the entire organisation and extend these practices into the broader community. The strategy should reflect a clear ongoing commitment to animal welfare, incorporate the latest developments in animal welfare science, ensure an evidence-based approach, and be fully integrated into all policies and procedures. In addition, the strategy should provide a clear framework, measurable goals, and key performance indicators (KPIs), to ensure a structured, objective approach to animal welfare monitoring and enhancement. Creating a strategy involves nine key steps. Structuring the strategy around these steps through the lens of four primary domains: animal care; animal welfare assessment; communication; and evaluation, ensures a comprehensive institution-wide commitment to animal welfare. Once established, the strategy should be sufficiently flexible to ensure continued self-examination and improvement, and an ability to incorporate key insights from the rapidly developing field of animal welfare science. Implementing such a strategy requires sustained effort, strong leadership, and an organisational culture that supports shared values and continual improvement.

Researchers have long speculated about the evolutionary benefits of religiosity. One explanation for the evolution of religious ritual is that rituals signal commitment to co-religionists. As a major domain of prosocial behavior, alloparental care – or care directed at children by non-parents – is a plausible benefit of religious signaling. The religious alloparenting hypothesis posits that parents who signal religious commitment receive greater alloparental support. Prior research on religiosity, cooperation, and allocare tends to treat individuals as isolated units, despite the inherent collective nature of religious cooperation. Here, we address this limitation in a survey-based study of 710 parents in rural Bangladesh. Instead of focusing only on mothers, we consider the interplay between both mothers and fathers in eliciting allocare, and leverage variation in the covertness of religious rituals to test a key mechanistic assumption linking religious ritual with cooperation. We find that parents who practice religious rituals more frequently receive greater alloparental support from co-religionists. This effect is moderated by parent gender, as well as variation in the visibility of religious rituals. Women’s private practices positively affect only those alloparents with whom they share a household, while men’s public practices positively affect alloparents more broadly.

Metabolomics of faecal samples offers a non-invasive method to monitor gastrointestinal (GI) development and microbial activity in dairy heifers during key physiological transitions. In this longitudinal study, faecal metabolites from 10 Holstein heifers were analyzed from birth to first calving using targeted metabolomics. Faecal samples were collected at 12 h post-birth, week 6 (pre-weaning), week 14 (weaning), 8 months (post-weaning), and at first calving (26 ± 2.3 months). Calves were fed 3.8 L of colostrum within 2 h of birth, followed by 6 L of maternal transition milk for 5 days, then 6 L of milk replacer twice daily. Group housing began at 14 days. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) showed distinct temporal clustering of faecal metabolites. Heatmap analysis revealed significant metabolite alterations, particularly between pre- and post-weaning stages. A linear mixed-effects model identified significant stage effects for all 17 amino acids. Of the 55 biogenic amines and amino acid-related metabolites, 48 significantly differed across stages. Elevated amino acids and polyamines early in life reflected colostrum intake and immature digestion, decreasing post-weaning, indicating improved nutrient absorption and rumen functionality. Increased microbiota-derived compounds, including β-alanine, serotonin, and indole derivatives, reflected microbial colonization and co-regulation with the host. Elevated dopamine, homocysteine, and phenylethylamine in late gestation indicated neuroactive and redox adaptations. Overall, faecal metabolite profiles provide insights into metabolic remodelling related to nutrition, GI maturation, and reproductive development, highlighting faecal metabolomics as a useful non-invasive tool for monitoring heifer development.

The distinct size and shape of breasts in women is a uniquely human trait. This trait has no conclusive explanation as it is not a requirement for milk production. Additionally, breasts are enlarged already at puberty, this is usually long before the first pregnancy. We hypothesized that the perennially enlarged human breasts were potentially developed to support infant’s thermal balance by providing increased warming surface in skin-to-skin contact. To test the hypothesis, we measured breast surface temperature to explore their heating capacity and resilience to temperature changes in an environmental conditions laboratory. Volunteers, divided in groups of nursing women, non-nursing women and men, were exposed to three temperatures: 32°C, 27°C and 18°C. The exposure time in each temperature was 20 min. The changes in breast surface temperature were recorded by thermal imaging camera. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis tests. Breastfeeding women had overall higher mammary surface temperature compared to other groups. Furthermore, nursing women had distinct resilience against cooling environment: they lost the average of 2.5°C of their mammary surface temperature, whereas other study groups lost 4.3 and 4.7°C of surface temperature respectively. This proof-of -concept study clearly indicated the potential of the nursing women’s breasts to support infant’s thermal balance.

In tritrophic interactions, host plants could influence not only the population of insect pests but also that of their natural enemies. This study examined the effect of three wheat cultivars on demographic parameters of Schizaphis graminum Rondani (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its predator, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Furthermore, the secondary metabolites, photosynthetic pigments, and defence enzymes of wheat cultivars were evaluated at different times. According to the results, the highest and lowest developmental times of S. graminum were found on cultivar (cv.) Morvarid and cv. Ehsan, respectively. However, it was vice versa for the predator, being highest on cv. Ehsan and lowest on cv. Morvarid. Adults of S. graminum lived shorter on cv. Morvarid, while males and females of H. variegata lived longer on this cultivar. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) of S. graminum ranged from 0.347 to 0.456 day−1, and that of H. variegata from 0.118 to 0.176 day−1 on different cultivars. The value of this parameter was lowest for aphids but highest for their predator on cv. Morvarid. Based on the results, cv. Morvarid at 120 hours post-infestation by S. graminum contained the greatest concentrations of secondary metabolites and enzyme activities. The time-dependent loss of photosynthetic pigments occurred in each tested cultivar. The results revealed that cv. Morvarid had a suitable potential for reducing the population of S. graminum and enhancing the performance of H. variegata. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the complementary interactions of cv. Morvarid and H. variegata in controlling S. graminum population under natural conditions.

This Research Paper addresses the hypothesis that the use of a probiotic and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action of curcumin will improve the use of buttermilk, which is a by-product of the dairy industry that is still little used, despite its nutritional and technological properties. The production of beverages using buttermilk as a basis will contribute to the development of foods that support sustainability, reduce waste and have high nutritional quality. The aim of this research is to develop a functional dairy beverage with high antioxidant potential, combining probiotic (Lactobacillus gasseri LG08) and bioactive compounds through buttermilk fermentation and curcumin addition. To this end, four formulations were prepared: (1) pasteurized buttermilk (BM), (2) pasteurized buttermilk + curcumin (CUR), (3) pasteurized fermented (L. gasseri LG08) buttermilk (FBM) and (4) pasteurized fermented (L. gasseri LG08) buttermilk + curcumin (FCUR). We evaluated proximal composition and physicochemical properties (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, colour and water-holding capacity), microbiological and antioxidant capacity over 28 days and in vitro cytotoxicity. For comparison among experimental formulations, ANOVA followed by the Tukey test was used for parametric variables, and for non-parametric variables, Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn’s, using BM as the control. For comparison over storage time, ANOVA was performed. The analyses show the effect of fermentation on beverages with added Lactobacillus, with a reduction in pH and an increase in acidity. The use of curcumin resulted in changes not only in colour but also in the antioxidant content of the beverages. At 100 μg/ml, all formulations were non-cytotoxic. Furthermore, in the evaluation of cell viability, the FCUR beverage at the highest concentration improved viability after stress with hydrogen peroxide. Fermentation using the lactose content in buttermilk was effective. Curcumin enhanced visual appeal and bioactivity without cytotoxic effects. Utilizing underused by-products reduces waste and supports sustainability.

Urban agriculture on extensive green roofs (EGRs), which are lightweight, shallow-profile systems with low maintenance, presents a viable opportunity to enhance food production and ecosystem services in cities. However, the harsh environmental conditions typical of EGRs pose challenges for crop cultivation, especially regarding water availability. This study investigates whether facilitative interactions with a common green roof cover species, Sedum, with bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) as our model crop, can improve crop performance under water stress. We tested 48 EGR modules with three planting designs (no Sedum, artificial Sedum, and live Sedum) under two watering regimes (high and low) at a green roof testing facility in Toronto, Canada, and measured above- and belowground functional traits of beans to assess productivity and trait plasticity. Results revealed that water availability had a greater influence on bean performance than planting design, where beans grown with artificial Sedum under high watering showed the highest shoot biomass and yield, while performance declined significantly under low water conditions, particularly with live Sedum. Leaf physiological traits were largely unaffected by treatment, likely due to the variable rooftop conditions, and root traits were significantly influenced by both water availability and planting design. Hypervolume analyses showed that beans exhibited greater root trait plasticity than Sedum, suggesting a stronger capacity to adapt to water stress. Contrary to the hypotheses, live Sedum did not consistently facilitate bean performance, and potential competitive interactions may have outweighed any stress-ameliorating effects. These findings show water management as the main management variable for crops on EGRs. To transition EGRs into viable agricultural spaces, future strategies should explore alternative facilitative species, nutrient amendments, and microbial inoculations to support crop resilience.

This population-based cross-sectional study investigated the complex interplay of factors influencing high ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among Brazilian adolescents using a hierarchical socio-ecological model. Data from 100 028 adolescents (13–17 years) enrolled in public and private schools nationwide were collected via self-administered questionnaires from the 2019 National School Health Survey. High UPF consumption was defined as ≥ 7 subgroups consumed on the previous day based on the NOVA classification. Poisson regression adjusted for complex sampling and hierarchical structure identified prevalence ratios (PR) for associated factors. High UPF consumption was significantly associated with younger age (PR = 1·22; 95 % CI 1·11, 1·34), regular breakfast consumption (PR = 1·32; 95 % CI 1·23, 1·42), regular screen time during meals (PR = 1·36; 95 % CI 1·27, 1·45), frequent UPF purchases at and around school (PR for canteen: 1·57; 95 % CI 1·43, 1·72; street vendors: 1·71; 95 % CI 1·55, 1·89), higher maternal education (PR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·12, 1·36) and lower parental supervision (PR 1·34, 95 % CI 1·11, 1·62). Living in the South (PR 1·50, 95 % CI 1·34, 1·69), Southeast (PR 1·30, 95 % CI 1·17, 1·44) and Midwest regions (PR 1·21, 95 % CI 1·09, 1·34) also correlated with higher consumption. Conversely, high body satisfaction and attending private school showed an inverse association. These findings underscore the intricate, multilevel influences on UPF consumption among Brazilian adolescents. Integrated interventions, spanning schools, family environments and public policies are crucial for promoting healthier eating habits and preventing obesity in this vulnerable population.

Evidence regarding the association between dietary choline intake and mortality in individuals with diabetes remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary choline intake and all-cause, CVD and cancer-related mortality among adults with diabetes. A total of 4712 participants with diabetes were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018 cycles. Dietary choline intake was estimated using two 24-h dietary recalls, and mortality outcomes were ascertained via linkage to National Death Index records through 31 December 2019. Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analyses were employed to assess the associations between choline intake and mortality. Restricted cubic spline models were used to examine potential non-linear relationships, and threshold analyses were conducted to identify inflection points. Over a median follow-up of 6·42 years, 805 deaths were documented, including 267 from CVD and 126 from cancer. A U-shaped association was observed between dietary choline intake and all-cause mortality (Pfor non-linearity < 0·0001). Compared with the lowest quartile, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 0·64 (95 % CI 0·47, 0·88) for the second quartile, 0·59 (0·43, 0·82) for the third and 0·69 (0·43, 1·09) for the highest quartile. No significant associations were found between choline intake and either CVD or cancer mortality. These findings indicate a U-shaped relationship between dietary choline intake and all-cause mortality in individuals with diabetes, with intakes between 286·77 and 538·86 mg/d associated with the lowest risk – providing potential implications for dietary guidance in diabetes management.