Food and Nutrition Security is heavily threatened by the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, and Pakistan is no exception. The most vulnerable segments including women and low wage workers are mainly relying on free or subsidized meals served by public and private sector managed food distribution networks (FDNs). These FDNs are mainly relying on wheat flour, which could be used as a fortification vehicle to provide essential nutrients after fortification for Zn, Fe, Folic acid and B12, during post COVID period. The aim of this project was to ensure that wheat flour, procured by selected FDNs, was replaced with high quality fortified wheat flour in daily distribution meals, so that more nutritious foods would reach the most vulnerable segments in Pakistan.

This pilot project executed through different private sector managed food distribution networks (FDNs), industrial distribution networks (IDNs), and ration distribution networks (RDNs), and their regular wheat flour was replaced with quality fortified wheat flour. After selection and agreement with flour mills and FDNs, their employees were capacitated to produce and serve quality fortified flour. Alongside the provision and monitoring of quality fortified wheat flour, supplied to FDNs, the fortification quality was also assessed for fortification compliance, through analysis of added iron content.

The agreements were signed with 11 flour mills, 11 FDNs, 6 RDNs, and 6 IDNs in 4 cities of Punjab i.e. Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan and Gujranwala; and 1 city of Sindh i.e. Karachi. Likewise, in total 858 people from these flour mills, FDNs and provincial regulatory authorities were capacitated to provide quality fortified flour. During the project period June to December 2021 around 1,722 tons of quality fortified flour was produced by selected flour mills and 8.6 million fortified meals were served to the vulnerable consumers (61.50% males and 38.50% females). Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the average content of added iron in case of all flour mills complied with the recommended fortification standards of Punjab Food Authority i.e. ≥15 mg/kg.

Micronutrient fortified wheat flour provision to vulnerable populations through these FDNs is one of the best strategy to be adopted both by government as well as private sector to compliment the basic nutrition of vulnerable segments.

Expert groups have recommended that adults over 65 years should aim for 1.0-1.2 grams (g) of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (g/kg/d) to support health and functionality(1). However, data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2016-2019) showed 50.2% of over 65-year-olds consumed below 1.0 g/kg of adjusted body weight per day(2). Identifying barriers and facilitators to optimising protein intake in older adults is crucial for dietary intervention. This systematic review thus aimed to evaluate modifiable determinants of protein intake amongst community dwelling adults aged over 65 years.

The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42023399243). Eligible studies included community dwelling older adults within Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Comprehensive searches were conducted in CINAHL, AMED, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE, followed by backward and forward citation chasing and a search for grey literature. The latest search date was July 2024. Searches identified 2316 publications for screening once duplicates were removed. These were screened by two independent reviewers and quality assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (version 2018). A meta-analysis was not possible due to substantial heterogeneity in the reporting of both protein consumption and the measurement of determinants.

Sixty publications were included in the final analysis, reporting 54 quantitative studies. The majority of studies were cross-sectional and presented a lesser quality of evidence. Age range of participants was 65-103 years. Protein intake was reported as amount consumed per day, or a criterion applied to determine low intake which varied from 0.75 g–1.1g/kg/d. There was evidence from multiple lesser-quality cross-sectional studies that lower financial income (n=4), increased physical limitations (including an increased number of limitations in activities of daily living, reduced mobility or being housebound, n=5), dental problems (n=8) and poor appetite (n=7) are associated with suboptimal or lower protein intake. For men only, living alone appeared to determine lower protein consumption (n=2). In contrast, higher self-perceived health-status (n=3), increased physical activity (n=7), lunch club attendance (n=3) and increased dietary knowledge (n=3) were associated with a higher protein intake. Poor appetite in older adults may be expected to reduce protein intake as food consumption decreases, however evidence suggested that the diet also became less protein dense.

In conclusion, determinants of protein consumption in community dwelling older adults are multifactorial, ranging across influences from socioeconomic, physical health, lifestyle and knowledge domains. These areas are likely to interact with one another, and all should be considered for future research, clinical practice and public health. There is a need for practical dietary interventions that consider affordability and accessibility for optimal uptake, additionally these need to be underpinned by increased dietary knowledge specific to older adults.

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth in vertebrates. In teleosts, gene duplication has produced mstn1 and mstn2 paralogues, which often differ in structure and expression. This study compares mstn1 and mstn2 in two high-value mariculture-relevant carangids of the Indo-Pacific region, Trachinotus mookalee and Trachinotus blochii. We report, for the first time, the complete gene structures of mstn1 and mstn2 in T. mookalee (3777 bp from Tm-mstn1 and 2075 bp from Tm-mstn2) and describe their counterparts in T. blochii (3836 bp from Tb-mstn1 and 2147 bp from Tb-mstn2). Notably, mstn1 and mstn2 shared only ∼53% sequence identity within the same species. Interestingly, we noted a CA-repeat tandem sequence in intron 2 (35 bp in Tm-mstn1 and 47 bp in Tb-mstn1), providing a potential microsatellite marker. Promoter analysis suggested more complex transcriptional regulation in T. blochii, with a greater number of transcription factor binding sites (47 vs. 43) and E-box motifs (4 vs. 2). Predicted miRNA binding site revealed both shared (14) and species-specific sites (two sites in Tm-mstn1, and one in Tb-mstn1), indicating differential post-transcriptional regulation. These molecular differences were verified through differential mstn1 expression, with higher mstn1 expression in T. blochii muscle, which might be the reason for the enhanced muscle growth in T. mookalee. The mstn2 expression patterns supported its role in neuroendocrine and reproductive regulation. Overall, this study provides new molecular insights into species-specific growth differences and highlights the functional divergence of mstn genes in marine carangids.

Flavour enhancement has been identified as a potential strategy to counteract the loss of taste in pureed foods(1,2), making them more palatable and recognisable for older people(3). However, it is unclear whether flavour enhancement with protein fortification of pureed diets can influence appetite and dietary intake. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the influence of flavour-enhanced and protein-enriched pureed meals on perceived appetite, palatability, and intake in older people.

Forty-one healthy older people were recruited in Reading, UK to partake in a randomised, crossover study involving three study days. Participants consumed a standard breakfast, followed by one of three ad-libitum pureed lunches (high protein (HP), high-protein-with-aroma (HP-Aro) or low-protein (LP)) and three hours later an ad-libitum pureed buffet-style meal. Intake of the ad-libitum meals were measured by weighing food leftovers, perceived appetite and palatability were rated using a visual analogue scale and remaining intakes for the day assessed using food diaries.

SPSS was used to carry out all statistical analysis. Differences in energy and macronutrient intake between the three ad-libitum pureed lunch meals were examined using repeated measures analysis of variances (RM-ANOVA) with pair-wise comparisons (Bonferroni corrected). This test was also applied to assess the effects of these meals on subsequent intake at the ad-libitum buffet meal and total day intake. Post-lunch appetite sensations were analysed using Friedman’s test with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Changes in self-reported palatability ratings between the three pureed lunch meals were evaluated using RM-ANOVA with pair-wise comparisons (Bonferroni corrected). Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05 in all analysis.

Participants’ intake of ad-libitum pureed lunch was significantly higher when they consumed the HP+Aro pureed meal compared to the HP and LP pureed meals (p<0.001). Protein fortification with or without flavour enhancement significantly reduced energy intake (EI) and macronutrient intake at subsequent ad-libitum meal (p<0.001). Even though protein fortification did not affect EI for the rest of the day, it led to greater total protein intake (p<0.001). However, participants had higher total EI, carbohydrate and fat intake across the study day when they had LP pureed lunch compared to when they had HP pureed lunch (p<0.001) but no difference occurred between the LP and HP + Aro conditions (p=0.72).

Protein fortification led to significantly greater satiety (p<0.001) and fullness (p=0.04) post lunch. Palatability ratings were significantly improved with flavour enhancement (p<0.05).

The study suggested that intakes and liking of pureed meals are greater through the combination of flavour enhancement and protein fortification among older people. Also, although protein fortification could suppress appetite which might lead to reduced EI across the whole day, this may be mitigated by the combined addition of the flavour enhancer.

High intakes of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been associated with adverse health outcomes including weight gain, cardiometabolic disease and cancer(1,2). However, the limitations of NOVA highlight the need for a novel classification which captures food properties and features of processing that drive these health outcomes. Proposed mechanisms underlying the associations between UPF and health include energy density and hyperpalatability(3,4). Within the US food system, the prevalence of both energy dense and hyperpalatable foods is increasing, and there is moderate overlap between foods identified by each definition(5). The aim of this study was to characterise the energy density and hyperpalatability of foods and habitual diets consumed by UK adults.

Logged dietary data, baseline characteristics and body composition were analysed from ZOE PREDICT 1 UK participants (n= 1001; NCT03479866)(6). Weighted logged dietary data, including more than 12,000 foods (beverages excluded), from participants with ≥2 free-living days (n=891) were included. Energy density (kcal/g) for all foods and participant diets was calculated. Hyperpalatable foods (HPF) were classified using a data-defined definition(7) and percentage energy intake (%EI) from HPFs were calculated. Differences in energy density and hyperpalatability were examined across top and bottom tertiles of energy intake.

In the PREDICT 1 cohort (n=891, 73% females, (mean±SD) age 46±12 years and BMI 26±4.9 kg/m2) 55% of foods were high in energy density (>2 kcal/g), 49% were defined as HPFs and 35% were both energy dense and hyperpalatable. Across participants’ habitual diets (beverages excluded), the average energy density was 2.1±1.0 kcal/g and proportion of energy consumed from HPFs was 48±16 %EI. There was a significant difference across tertiles of energy intake (low versus high) in the energy density of diets (kcal/g) and contribution of energy from HPFs (%EI) (P<0.05 for all).

This analysis provides valuable insights into the energy density and hyperpalatability of habitual diets in the PREDICT 1 cohort, demonstrating overlap between these features. Further work is required to understand the independent and combined role of these factors, and additional proposed mechanisms underlying the negative health effects associated with processing, such as food texture, energy-intake-rate, and additives and non-culinary ingredients. A novel classification should build on NOVA by encompassing the food properties and features of processing that drive adverse health outcomes. Policy makers must consider the role of these factors to ensure nutritionally beneficial and affordable foods are not penalised without appropriate scientific justification.

With the global population set to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, including a doubling of adults aged ≥60 years old(1,2), sustainable dietary transitions are increasingly urgent. One postulated solution is controlled environment agriculture (CEA) vertical farming (VF), defined as plant factories in which environmental conditions are intricately controllable(3).

VF affords opportunities to reduce climate impact, such as reductions in water and land use(4). Further, it allows for tailoring the nutritional profiles of food through methods such as light manipulation and agronomic biofortification(5,6). This is especially relevant to older adults, with their inherent specific nutritional needs and the role of diet in healthy ageing(7). However, older adults have high rates of food neophobia(8) that may hinder acceptance of novel VF produce. This study assessed the acceptability of VF in UK older adults.

An online survey within a UK older adult cohort (≥60 years old) (n=680) assessed knowledge, sentiment scores (SS), and attitudes (Likert scales) towards VF. Willingness to pay (WTP) and purchasing likelihood for VF products were also assessed. Sentiment scores were generated using text highlighting(9). Data were analysed across genders and the index of multiple deprivation (IMD). Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis were used for non-normally distributed data. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and two-factor MANOVA were used where applicable. Purchasing likelihood was evaluated using ordinal regression.

Knowledge of VF was low (44%), with fewer participants (23.6%) understanding CEA VF. Total SS were ambivalent (8.8), with no significant gender or IMD differences. However, sentences concerning sustainable benefits, e.g. yield, land and water use, were positive (range; 14-23). Females showed more positive SS for tailoring VF to support older adults’ nutritional needs (p=0.012). Attitudes (from Likert scale) were mostly neutral, with females slightly more favourable towards environmental concerns (p=0.008) and food fortification (p=0.03). WTP for VF produce was slightly higher (£0.016) than for conventionally produced foods (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between genders and IMD. 43% of participants were more likely to purchase VF produce, while 10% were less likely. Lower-income households (0.59 OR; 0.40–0.88, p=0.008); lack of knowledge of food fortification (0.62 OR; 0.42–0.89, p=0.011) and those with the more negative SS, SS Q1 (0.45 OR; 0.29 – 0.71, p=0.046) and SS Q2 (0.65 OR; 0.43 – 0.99, p<0.001) where significantly less likely to purchase VF produce.

Low knowledge and negative sentiment towards VF, coupled with low WTP, pose significant barriers to adopting VF food products in older adults. Socio-economic factors like income also affect purchasing likelihood, potentially exacerbating current health gaps. Increasing VF awareness and improving attitudes whilst reducing VF production costs could help promote its adoption in this demographic.

The population status of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) on the Antarctic Peninsula highlights opportunities for the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to address uncertainty more directly and effectively in its conservation efforts. The heightened uncertainty posed by climate change is testing CCAMLR’s commitment to balancing science and international cooperation in decision-making. Uncertainty underpins some of the justification to postpone reaching a consensus on the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, leaving Adélie penguins vulnerable to change. Two key opportunities to adapt current management approaches emerge: 1) reduce uncertainty by systematically identifying knowledge gaps within CCAMLR’s processes; and 2) integrate uncertainty more explicitly into decisions through a standardized approach to assessing and communicating it.

Progression towards elevated blood pressure (BP) may begin as early as adolescence. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are linked to poor cardiometabolic health, is often highest in adolescence. We examined sex- and age-specific associations of systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) with concurrent and lagged UPF intake from age 15 to 25 in a Filipino cohort. We used data from the 1998–2009 waves of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (n 2124, 52 % male); participants were 15, 18, 21 and 25 years old. UPFs (% daily kilocalories) were classified using NOVA. Linear mixed-effects models estimated differences in SBP and DBP associated with a 5-percentage point difference in concurrent and lagged UPF intake (3–4 years earlier). Mean UPF intake was 10–11 % of total energy intake among males and 14–17 % among females over the study period. At age 21, intake of ultra-processed meats and fish was positively associated with DBP (β = 0·48 (95 % CI: 0·02, 0·94)) among males and intake of ultra-processed sugary beverages was positively associated with SBP (0·80 (0·13, 1·48)) and DBP (0·93 (0·34, 1·51)) among females. Among females only, SBP at age 18 was positively associated with total UPF intake at age 15 (0·25 (0·00, 0·50)). In this cohort, there were modest, positive associations between BP and UPF intake, which varied by sex and age. UPF intake during the transition to adulthood may be linked to higher BP, supporting efforts to limit adolescents’ intake in LMICs.

A new encapsulated saflufenacil formulation has been developed and premixed as a single product with pyroxasulfone to provide control of small-seeded annual grass and broadleaf weeds and to extend the application window to early postemergence when applied to field corn. Pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil applied preemergence alone and in mixtures with other herbicides were examined for crop response and weed control efficacy. We hypothesized that applying pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil with a tank-mix partner would expand the spectrum of weed species that can be controlled and improve overall weed control efficacy compared to pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil applied alone. Six field experiments were completed at three locations in southwestern Ontario in 2022 and 2023. Pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil was applied alone, at 146 g ai ha−1 (pyroxasulfone 90 g ai ha−1, saflufenacil 56 g ai ha−1) or 245 g ai ha−1 (pyroxasulfone 150, saflufenacil 95 g ai ha−1), and with the following herbicide partners: atrazine, dicamba, or mesotrione + atrazine. All herbicide treatments were applied prior to corn and weed emergence. Weed control, density and biomass, and corn injury and yield were assessed. All pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil treatments caused no injury to corn. At 8 wk after emergence (WAE) pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil (245 g ai ha−1) controlled common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and foxtail species by 42%, 59%, and 41%, respectively. Applications of pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil (146 or 245 g ai ha−1) with dicamba or mesotrione + atrazine improved common lambsquarters and redroot pigweed control at 8 WAE compared with pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil applied alone. Pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil (146 or 245 g ai ha−1) applied with dicamba or mesotrione + atrazine provided similar control of common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and foxtail species to that of S-metolachlor/atrazine/mesotrione/bicyclopyrone, which is a standard herbicide used to control these weeds. Corn yield for all pyroxasulfone + encapsulated saflufenacil herbicide mixtures was similar to that of the weed-free control and the standard herbicide.

A range of sizes of eight sea urchin species in the Family Echinometridae (Echinostrephus aciculatus, Heliocidaris erythrogramma, Colobocentrotus atratus, Heterocentrotus mamillatus, Heterocentrotus trigonarius, Echinometra mathaei, Echinometra lucunter, and Echinometra vanbrunti) were digitized and their shapes decomposed using elliptical Fourier analysis to quantify shape differences. Coefficients of sines and cosines of harmonics were used in a principal components analysis to show the separation of species. The principal component analysis shows the Echinometridae shape morphospace with the greatest separation of Echinostrephus and Colobocentrotus from other species. Major loadings were related to morphological measurements: height/diameter, lift of the oral surface above the substrate, and position of the ambitus to height. All species showed an increase in height/diameter with size, but only some species showed a correlation of oral lift or position of the ambitus with Fourier coefficients.

Understanding the regional diversity of epiphytic bryophytes along elevation gradients is crucial for assessing forest ecosystems, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate change. The study aimed to compare the composition and richness of epiphytic bryophytes colonising on basal trunks of Cryptomeria japonica, a predominant conifer in the Darjeeling hills, across different altitude zones, and to assess the underlying macroclimatic factors driving such variations. The field surveys were performed at nine elevation zones of Darjeeling between 1450 and 2250 m above sea level. Bryophytes belonging to 37 genera, primarily from Dicranales and Hypnales, were recorded. Diversity profiles reflected low evenness, with Syrrhopodon confertus emerging as the dominant moss in the community. Species richness displayed a multimodal pattern along the altitudinal gradient. The trend exhibited an initial hump peaking at 1550 m and a subsequent rise of richness above 2150 m. About 43.24% of species were confined to a single altitude zone, signifying a narrow range of occurrence. The epiphyte compositions of 1450, 1550 and 2250 m were distinct compared to the other elevation zones. Furthermore, statistical evaluation predicted the influence of climatic parameters such as precipitation, temperature stability and solar radiation on bryophyte assemblage. Therefore, the outcome provides a broad overview of the distribution of bryophytes at managed conifer forests and underscores the significance of elevation-specific climatic conditions in shaping bryophyte diversity, which can be useful for designing their effective conservation strategies.

The mudskipper Boleophthalmus dussumieri (Teleostei, Gobiiformes, Oxudercidae) is an amphibious goby native to the Indian Ocean, from Kuwait Bay and Persian Gulf to the northeast of the Arabian Sea and the western coast of India. This study reports on the first record of B. dussumieri in the Atlantic Ocean, based on morphological and molecular evidence. A single specimen was collected in September 2024 in São Marcos Bay, on the coast of the state of Maranhão (Brazilian Amazon Coast). This is the second exotic species of oxudercid goby reported for the coast of Maranhão, possibly accidentally introduced through ballast water discharge.