The Importance of Philanthropy Foundation for the Future Sustainability of Agriculture and Nutrition: An Opinion Study on Practical Applications, Policies, and Strategies.

Food security, food sustainability, and malnutrition represent critical global challenges. Th urgency of comprehensive action is evident in the need for research collaboration between the food industry, agriculture, public health, and nutrition. This article highlights the role of philanthropy, of a non-profit organization, in supporting research and development and filling financial gaps. The article also explores the interplay of nutrition, agriculture, and government and policy, positioning philanthropy as a catalyst for transformative change and advocating for collaborative efforts to comprehensively address global food challenges. In addition, the discussion also underscores the ethical complexities surrounding charitable food aid, especially in terms of the dignity and autonomy of its recipients. The paper concludes by proposing future directions and implications, advocating for diversified intervention portfolios and collaborative efforts involving governments, businesses, and local communities. Apart from that, the importance of answering and alleviating ethical dilemmas related to food charity assistance needs to be a concern for future studies related to philanthropy because of the significant challenges faced by the contemporary food system, which include food security, health, and nutritional sustainability.

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Metabolic and Gut Microbiota Modulation Activities of Probiotic in Cardiac Remodeling Condition: Evidence from Systematic Study and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Heart failure (HF) is a global pandemic with increasing prevalence and mortality rates annually. Its main cause is myocardial infarction (MI), followed by rapid cardiac remodeling. Several clinical studies have shown that probiotics can improve the quality of life and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of probiotics in preventing HF caused by a MI according to a prospectively registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42023388870). Four independent evaluators independently extracted the data using predefined extraction forms and evaluated the eligibility and accuracy of the studies. A total of six studies consisting of 366 participants were included in the systematic review. Probiotics are not significant in intervening left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) when compared between the intervention group and the control group due to inadequate studies supporting its efficacy. Among sarcopenia indexes, hand grip strength (HGS) showed robust correlations with the Wnt biomarkers (p < 0.05), improved short physical performance battery (SPPB) scores were also strongly correlated with Dickkopf-related protein (Dkk)-3, followed by Dkk-1, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) (p < 0.05). The probiotic group showed improvement in total cholesterol (p = 0.01) and uric acid (p = 0.014) compared to the baseline. Finally, probiotic supplements may be an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metabolic, and intestinal microbiota modulator in cardiac remodeling conditions. Probiotics have great potential to attenuate cardiac remodeling in HF or post-MI patients while also enhancing the Wnt signaling pathway which can improve sarcopenia under such conditions.

Bioactive peptides identification and nutritional status ameliorating properties on malnourished rats of combined eel and soy-based tempe flour.

Background and aims: A combined eel and soy-based tempe (CEST) flour is rich in nutrients, especially its high amino acid content in which bioactive peptides (BPs) are expected to be found. Hence, this research aimed to identify the BPs of CEST flour and CEST supplementation's effect on improving nutritional status biomarkers by ameliorating serum protein, hemoglobin, and IGF-1 of malnourished rats. Methods: CEST flour with a ratio of eel and soy-based tempe of 1:3.5 was produced by applying the oven drying method. Amino acid sequences from six BPs were analyzed using a protein sequencer and spectrometer-electrospray ionization (MS-ESI). A total of thirty malnourished male Rattus norvegicus aged 3-4 weeks were given low-protein (LP; 4% w/w protein) diet treatment for 4 weeks. Afterward, rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats. Group A and B remained on a low-protein diet for 4 weeks, receiving an LP diet and getting doses of CEST of 100 and 200 mg/kg BW, respectively, via oral. Group C or control was given a Normal-protein (NP) diet (23% w/w of protein) and was allowed to feed ad libitum during the trial period without a dose of CEST. Results: Six bioactive peptides were found, with WMGPY being the most abundant, along with a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 5.0 mg/mL. The results showed that serum protein, hemoglobin, and IGF-1 of group B were significantly higher compared to groups A and C (p = 0.0021). CEST dose of 200 mg/kg BW was more effective to increase serum levels of protein (p = 0.0052), hemoglobin, and IGF-1 (p < 0.0001) compared to a 100 mg/kg BW dose. Conclusion: This indicates that the CEST flour has six bioactive peptides, which may contribute to the improvement of nutritional status biomarkers. To establish its potential impact, a human clinical study is urgently needed.

The Relationship between Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, and Dietary Intake with Muscle Fatigue in Adolescent Football Players.

It is important for football players to maintain muscle strength through the entire match. The aim of this study was to investigate body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), dietary intake (energy, carbohydrate, and protein) and its relationship with muscle fatigue among adolescent football players. This was a cross-sectional study involving 26 football players aged 15-17 y. BMI was determined using WHO Anhtro Plus, BF% was analyzed using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and categorized using bodyfat curves for children, and dietary intake was assessed using 3×24 h dietary recall. Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was conducted twice and averaged to identify muscle fatigue. Pearson correlation and multiple-regression analysis were performed to determine the relationship between variables. The results showed that overall participants had healthy weight (17.61±1.82 kg/m2), good diet pattern (energy 99.08±14.34%, carbohydrate 92.88±9.54% and protein 95.96±23.41%), but low body fat (6.76±2.12%). In pearson test, negative correlations were found in muscle fatigue and BMI (r=-0.393, p=0.047), as well as BF% (r=-0.458, p=0.019), but positive between muscle fatigue and energy intake (r=0.538, p=0.005). Furthermore, multiple-regression analysis only confirmed statistically significant relationship between energy intake and muscle fatigue (p=0.028). We conclude that the higher BMI and BF% may lead to greater muscle fatigue, while higher energy intake has significant improvement to reduce muscle fatigue. Hence, it is essential for football players to consume adequate energy, and consider to maintain BMI and BF% at optimal range.

Evaluation of Oral Hygiene in Children with Down Syndrome Using the Busy Book Ayo Sikat Gigi as an Educational Toy

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the oral hygiene status of children with Down syndrome using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi as an educational toy. Material and Methods: We ran an experimental study involving 25 educable and trainable children with Down syndrome, comprising 17 males and 8 females aged 7-12 years, who were free from other disabilities and did not use orthodontic or prosthodontic appliances. Parents were instructed to educate their children using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi and also to guide their children in brushing their teeth effectively at home. We evaluated the OHI-S score over two visits, one before and the other after education using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi over a 7 day period. The Wilcoxon test with the p-value set at 0.05 was used Results: It was noted a statistically significant decrease in the OHI-S scores of children with Down syndrome (p<0.05), reflecting an improvement in their dental health, after education using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi (median scores before and after education: 2.30 and 1.84, respectively) Conclusion: The busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi is a highly effective educational toy for children with Down syndrome, and in our study, it was demonstrated to decrease their OHI-S scores after education for 7 days.