This study aimed to investigate 1) the longitudinal associations between food patterns and body weight in young adulthood, and 2) how food patterns of young adults relate to food consumption in early, middle and late childhood. The study sample includes 700 participants of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. During childhood, frequency of consumption of various foods was reported on ten occasions between 1.5 and 13 years. At age 22 years, food frequency questions (with quantities) were used to derive four food patterns (labeled healthy, beverage-rich, protein-rich, and high-energy-density) through exploratory factor analysis. Self-reported height and weight were collected at 22 and 23 years. Regression analyses were performed to assess associations between 1) food patterns and weight outcomes a year later (BMI, BMI change, and overweight status); 2) frequency of consumption of eight food groups in childhood and food patterns in adulthood. Dietary habits characterised by the consumption of vegetables, fruit, plant-based sources of protein and whole-grain cereal products were related to a lower risk of obesity a year later. Conversely, dietary habits characterised by a high consumption of energy-dense foods, of animal sources of proteins and, among women, of high quantities of liquids were associated with higher risk of excess weight a year later. Healthier food choices in childhood were associated with healthier food patterns in young adulthood. These findings reinforce the value of preventive dietary interventions in the early years to foster eating environments that favour healthy eating and healthy weights in adulthood.

The leptomedusa Dichotomia cannoides is reported for the first time from the Red Sea, extending its known distribution beyond the western Atlantic and western Pacific Ocean. Five specimens were documented in the northern Gulf of Aqaba, and one was collected for molecular analysis. In situ photography was used to extract diagnostic characters and natural habitus. DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene showed 98.03% identity with D. cannoides from Florida. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed its placement within D. cannoides, distinct from related leptothecate taxa. This finding increases the number of Leptothecata species recorded in the region to 15. The delayed detection of D. cannoides in the Red Sea may be due to its small size, limited seasonality or a recent introduction via ballast water or hull fouling. The species remains known only from its medusa stage. We further discuss how environmental DNA may help uncover its life cycle and those of other hydrozoans.

This study has investigated the relationship between the gut microbiota compotision and the growth performance in pigs from birth to the finishing stage, focusing on nutrient metabolism. Of 59 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Large Yorkshire) × Duroc] from seven sows, individuals with high and low daily gain (DG) were assigned to high DG (HDG, n = 11) and low DG (LDG, n = 8) groups. Fecal samples collected at weaning (21 days), growing (95–106 days) and finishing (136–152 days) stages were analyzed for amino acids, short-chain fatty acids, and microbial composition using 16S rRNA sequencing. Although birth and weaning weights were similar in both groups, the HDG group had significantly higher weights in the growing and finishing stages (P < 0.01). The microbial composition of the LDG group revealed a higher abundance of f_Lachnospiraceae;__ at weaning (P < 0.05), whereas the HDG group contained higher abundance of g_Streptococcus and g_Prevotella 7 at the finishing stage (P < 0.05). Functional analysis revealed increased amino acid metabolism in the HDG group at the finishing stage (P < 0.05). During the growing stage, total free fecal amino acid content was low in the HDG group (P < 0.05); at weaning, levels of isobutyric and isovaleric acids, key amino acid fermentation products (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), were higher. These findings indicate growth stage-specific differences in the gut microbiota and metabolic profiles between groups with different growth performance, suggesting microbial and metabolic characteristics may influence growth performance.

This study systematically evaluates the effects of probiotic interventions on gut microbiota and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients to determine the optimal target population and conditions for effective use, with an emphasis on precision treatment. A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), and Wanfang databases until April 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing probiotics as adjunctive therapy for diabetes were included. The control group received standard care, and the intervention group received probiotics alongside standard care. Data were managed with Endnote and Excel, and analyses were conducted using Revman 5.3 and Stata 16. Twelve RCTs involving 1,113 participants were included. Probiotics significantly increased fecal Lactobacillus (standardized mean difference (SMD) 1.42, P < 0.0001, I2 = 95%) and Bifidobacterium levels (SMD 1.27, P < 0.0001, I² = 90%) and reduced fasting plasma glucose (SMD -0.35, P = 0.004). Subgroup analysis showed that shorter intervention durations (≤3 months) improved FPG, HbA1c, and Bifidobacterium levels, while younger patients (≤60 years) experienced the most significant improvements in Bifidobacterium levels. In conclusion, probiotics improve gut microbiota and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients, with intervention duration and patient age as key factors influencing treatment effectiveness.

The effect of the Japanese diet on cancer incidence remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the Japanese diet and the risk of all-cause and site-specific cancer. We analysed 14-year follow-up data from the Osaki Cohort study of 25,570 Japanese men and women aged 40–79 years. The Japanese diet was evaluated using a 39-item food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Based on a previous study, we used eight food items to calculate the Japanese Diet Index (JDI) score: rice, miso soup, seaweed, pickles, green and yellow vegetables, seafood, green tea, and beef and pork. The participants were divided into quartiles based on their JDI scores. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cancer incidence. During the mean 10.4 years of follow-up, we identified 3,161 incident cases of all-cause cancer. Multivariable analysis showed that the JDI score was not associated with cancer incidence. In comparison to Q1 (the lowest), the multivariable HRs and 95%CIs were 1.01 (0.92–1.12) for Q2, 0.94 (0.85–1.04) for Q3, and 1.06 (0.95-1.18) for Q4 (the highest). Furthermore, separate analyses of nine common cancer sites demonstrated no association with the JDI score. The results were consistent even after a sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation. This prospective study showed that the Japanese diet was not associated with cancer incidence. The results suggests that the Japanese diet could contribute to a person’s overall health and well-being without increasing cancer risk.

Due to the high prevalence of depression among young adults, identifying prevention strategies during young adulthood are crucial. Dietary polyphenols have been associated with depression in older cohorts; however, the association remains unclear, particularly in young adults. This study aimed to assess the prospective association between the intake of total polyphenols, polyphenol classes, and polyphenol subclasses with depressive symptoms in young adults. Data from 1,484 Raine Study Generation 2 participants [52.7% female; baseline mean age (SD): 20 (0.5)] at the -20, -22, and -27 year follow-ups (N = 964, 979, and 1,094, respectively), with overlap across follow-ups, were used. Energy-adjusted polyphenol intake was estimated from food frequency questionnaire data using our expansion of the AUSNUT 2011-13 and Phenol-Explorer to include polyphenol content data and categorised into quartiles. The primary outcome was self-reported depressive symptoms assessed via the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale averaged across the three timepoints. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between the polyphenol intake exposures and depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle- and health-related behaviours were adjusted for. Participants in the highest quartiles for flavonol and hydroxybenzoic acid intake had lower depressive symptoms across time than participants in the lowest quartiles [flavonols (Q4 v Q1 mean difference: -1.41, 95%CIs: -2.51, -0.31); hydroxybenzoic acids (Q4 v Q1: -1.42, 95%CIs: -2.54, -0.29)]. We found no evidence of a highest versus lowest association for all other polyphenol categories. Future studies are required to investigate whether increasing polyphenol intake could protect against depression in young adults.

Total energy expenditure (TEE) is estimated as the product of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and an SCI-specific factor. The agreement between TEE and total energy intake (TEI) was just established. The findings suggested the existence of positive and negative energy balance distributions. Forty-two males with chronic SCI underwent BMR followed by detailed metabolic profile after overnight fast. TEI and macronutrients of 3-day dietary logs were analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research software. Energy surplus was calculated as TEE minus TEI. Body composition assessment was conducted using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. 57% of SCI participants were classified as negative energy surplus with an average TEI of 1284±422 compared to 2197±553 kcal/day in the positive energy group (P = 0.0002). Negative energy group had a higher BMR (9%; P =0.02), greater body weight (P =0.03), greater total body lean mass (P= 0.03) and consume greater percentage of protein compared to the positive energy group. Percentage macronutrients of protein explained 27% of the variance of energy surplus in a multivariate regression model (r2 =0.27; P = 0.008). TEI adjusted to fat-free mass explained 87% of the variance in energy surplus and 34.7 kcal/kg/day was recommended to balance TEI with TEE. Persons with SCI are either classified into negative or positive energy surplus groups. Larger body weight and greater protein intakes are among the major characteristics of the negative energy group. Clinicians may need to consider the spectrum of energy balance before starting dietary regimen after SCI.

The aim of this study was to determine soil quality index (SQI) for hazelnut gardens managed under organic and conventional agricultural systems. Additionally, the predictability of soil quality was evaluated using the XGBoost algorithm. To determine soil quality, a multi-criteria decision-making process was applied to the total dataset (TDS) using standard scoring functions (linear and non-linear). Additionally, the minimum dataset (MDS) was obtained using principal component analysis (PCA). Then, the model verification process was performed using SQI and yield data. According to the results, although SQI values in conventional agriculture were statistically significantly higher, the correlation between yield and soils under organic agriculture was higher than in conventional agriculture. The SQI averaged 0.4576 in conventionally farmed soils and 0.4417 in organically farmed areas. RMSE values obtained for SQI estimation with the XGBoost algorithm using basic soil properties ranged from 0.038 to 0.065. The mean error rate was approximately 8%. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients for the SQI estimated by MDS and TDS were 0.60 and 0.61, respectively. The most effective basic soil properties for estimating SQI with the XGBoost algorithm were N, K, OM, and P. It was concluded that the XGBoost algorithm can be evaluated for soil quality prediction. In addition, the spatial distribution patterns of the values predicted by this algorithm and of the observed values were similar. The exclusive use of soil analyses in the study can be considered a limiting factor for the model. More comprehensive studies are planned using reflectance measurements from remote sensing technologies.

Menopausal age represents the endpoint of the entire reproductive cycle of women, and it is a biological marker that indicates the overall health and aging status of women. Flavonoids are the most common polyphenolic compounds in the daily diet, and their intake is related to reduced risks of certain diseases. Our study aimed to analyze the relationships between the intake of flavonoids and menopausal age. We selected 29,940 participants from NHANES database from 2007-2008, 2009-2010 and 2017-2018. A total of 680 participants were included in our analysis after screening. Multiple logistic regression was used to explore the association between dietary flavonoid subclasses intake and menopausal delay (≥ 55 years old). RCS plots were generated to reveal the nonlinear relationships between the subclasses of flavonoids intake and menopausal age. According to the adjusted multiple factor logistic regression analysis, the top quartile intake (compared with bottom intake) of anthocyanidins was positively associated with delayed menopause (OR = 4.123; 95% CI: 1.130, 15.041; p trend = 0.036), whereas the moderate intake of flavonols was negatively associated with delayed menopause (Q2 vs. Q1, OR = 0.081 (95% CI: 0.025, 0.261), p trend = 0.001; Q3 vs. Q1, OR = 0.271 (95% CI: 0.093, 0.791), p trend = 0.023). The RCS revealed that non-linear association was observed between the intake of isoflavones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols and later menopause (p-value for non-linearity < 0.05). Our findings suggest that specific dietary flavonoids intake may have potential roles in regulating menopausal timing.

Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), commonly known as potato aphid, is an economically damaging pest in tomato agroecosystem. Farmers often resort to chemical insecticides for its control, but this approach poses long-term ecological challenges. Biological control, which involves the strategic use of natural enemies, offers a more sustainable and effective alternative for managing insects. The syrphid, Episyrphus viridaureus (Weidemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a natural predator of potato aphid within tomato fields. However, comprehensive information on its developmental biology, population growth parameters, predatory potential and functional response remain limited, prompting this study. In the present study, E. viridaureus was able to complete its lifecycle successfully while feeding on M. euphorbiae with an intrinsic rate of increase (r) (offspring/individual/day) of 0.103 and finite rate of increase (λ) (offspring/day) of 1.108. The larvae of E. viridaureus consumed 332.35 aphids out of which third instar larvae made the maximum contribution by consuming 232.69 aphids. All the three larval instars exhibited a type-II functional response against different densities of M. euphorbiae. Functional response parameters like attack rate (a) increased and handling time (Th) decreased as the larval stages advanced. This research highlights the potential of E. viridaureus as an effective biocontrol agent against M. euphorbiae, contributing to sustainable pest management.

Mortality trends among Indigenous peoples in Brazil remain poorly characterised. An ecological time-series study (2010–2022) was conducted, comparing Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations using nationwide open-access demographic and mortality data. Mortality was stratified by sex, age, and ICD-10 groups, populations were compared using Pearson’s chi-square test (p < 0.05), and trends were evaluated with joinpoint regression (JR) to estimate Average Annual Percentage Changes (AAPCs). Between 2010 and 2022, mortality among Indigenous peoples increased by 82.5% (from 2,927 to 5,343), compared with a 42.3% increase in the non-Indigenous population. Over 40% of deaths among Indigenous peoples occurred outside health facilities in both years, versus fewer than 30% among non-Indigenous populations. Crude mortality rates remained lower in Indigenous peoples (2010: 35.8 versus 55.9; 2022: 43.5 versus 74.8 per 10,000 population). However, age-specific differences were marked: mortality among Indigenous children and adolescents (0–19 years) was 3.3 times higher in 2010 and 3.8 times higher in 2022, while mortality among adults aged ≥40 years was approximately 2.5 times lower in both years compared with non-Indigenous populations (all p < 0.05). Mortality rates among Indigenous peoples were consistently higher for maternal, perinatal, and congenital conditions in both 2010 and 2022. JR revealed heterogeneous proportional mortality trends: significant increases in perinatal, congenital, and external causes (AAPC approximately 5.0–6.4%), as well as neoplasms, circulatory, haematological, digestive, respiratory, and endocrine/metabolic diseases (AAPC approximately 1.6–4.4%); a significant decline in infectious and parasitic diseases (AAPC −6.6%); and stability in other groups. Indigenous peoples in Brazil continued to face unfavourable mortality, particularly among children, adolescents, and maternal conditions. Many leading causes of death are preventable. Strengthening primary healthcare, expanding prenatal and perinatal services, improving vaccination and mental-health support, and adopting culturally safe, community-driven strategies to address chronic diseases are critical to reducing inequities and preventable deaths.