Fruits and vegetables dietary intake and its estimated consumption among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in health facilities in Northcentral Ethiopia: a multi-facility cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the significant role of fruit and vegetables (FAVs) in preventing a variety of chronic diseases and their potential to bolster immune responses and slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDS, there is a lack of studies on the dietary intake of FAVs among HIV-infected adults in Africa, including Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the magnitude of FAV intake and estimated consumption among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in northcentral Ethiopia. Methods: A multifacility cross-sectional study was conducted on the FAV intake among 865 HIV-infected adults receiving ART. A Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify factors associated with FAVs dietary intake. Results: The study indicated that 655 (76.34%; 95% CI: 73.38, 79.07) HIV-infected adults reported consuming FAVs less than once per day, with 838 (97.67%, 95% CI: 96.41, 98.49) and 676 (78.79%, 95% CI: 75.92, 81.40) HIV-infected adults reporting consuming fruits and vegetables less than once per day, respectively. The median (IQR) total FAV intake was 271.3 (IQR: 92.5, 439.5) g/day, with the median (IQR) intake of fruits being 248.1 (IQR: 100.0, 400.0) g/day and vegetables being 273.78 (IQR: 82.44, 348.33) g/day, respectively. We found that being divorced (APR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.12), employed as a daily laborer (APR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.36, 3.20), being employed (APR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.84), merchants (APR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.47), having children as caregivers (APR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.55), an advanced WHO clinical stage (APR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.32(1.03, 1.69), and receiving ART for more than 8 years (APR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.67) were found to be independent predictors of FAV dietary intake among HIV-infected adults. From the findings, we understood that farmers were less likely to consume FAVs compared to employed individuals, daily laborers, and merchants. Conclusion: The finding indicated a very low level of FAV dietary intake among HIV-infected adults receiving ART, falling well-below the minimum recommendation for physically active adults. Despite living in areas with surplus production and producing these items, farmers are less likely to consume FAV. The study emphasizes the importance of focusing on the early stage of ART treatment for patients and family therapy, including counseling and guidance on consuming healthy diets such as FAVs, to enhance the role of children as caregivers for their families. Additionally, there is a need for comprehensive nutritional counseling to improve FAV consumption, with a particular emphasis on educating individuals about portion size estimation for the consumption of FAVs.

Lipids from the purple and white açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart) varieties: nutritional, functional, and physicochemical properties.

The Brazilian superfruit called Açaí or Assaí has gained interested from researcher and consumers worldwide, due to its health-related properties. In this context, this pioneering study aimed to compare the physicochemical, nutritional, and thermal properties of vegetable oils obtained from two varieties of açaí (Euterpe oleracea), purple and white. Both açaí oils from white (WAO) and purple (PAO) varieties were obtained by using the conventional solid-liquid extraction, which resulted in oil yields ranging from 52 to 61%. WAO and PAO were analyzed by their edibility quality parameters given the recommendations from Codex Alimentarius; their nutritional functionality indices and their composition of fatty acids and triglycerides content were estimated. Both oils showed low levels of acidity and peroxides, <1.8 mg KOH g-1 and < 1.7 mEq kg-1, respectively, which are good indicators of their preservation status, agreeing with the food regulations. PAO and WAO showed differences among the composition of fatty acids, mainly related to the content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which were 62.5 and 39.5%, respectively, mainly oleic acid. Regarding the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the WAO showed up to 23% of linoleic acid, whereas the PAO exhibited up to 11% of it. These differences reflect on the values of the nutritional functionality indices, atherogenic (AI), thrombogenic (IT), and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (H/H). Both PAO and WAO showed low levels of AI and TI and superior values of H/H than other oilseeds from the literature. These results indicate the nutritional properties of açaí oils regarding a potential cardioprotective effect when included in a regular dietary intake. The thermogravimetric behavior and the evaluation of oxidation status by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were also studied. Both açaí oils demonstrated higher thermal stability (with an onset temperature ranging from 344 to 350 °C) and low indications of oxidation status, as no chemical groups related to it were noted in the FTIR spectrum, which agrees with the determined acidity and peroxide content. Moreover, the FTIR analysis unveiled characteristic chemical groups related to fatty acids and triglycerides, agreeing with the literature reports. These findings collectively contribute to a deeper comprehension of the nutritional and functional properties between white and purple açaí oils, offering valuable insights into their potential health, food, and industrial applications.

Electrospun PCL/PVA/PHMB nanofibers incorporating Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract as promising wound dressings with potent antibacterial and antidiabetic properties.

This investigation examined the potential antibacterial and antidiabetic effects of wound dressings created using electrospun nanofibers containing Ziziphus jujuba fruit extract (ZJ). These nanofibers were composed of a combination of Polycaprolactone (PCL), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), and Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB). The process of creating these nanofibers involved electrospinning. The nanofiber products, which included PCL, PCL/PVA, PCL/PVA/ZJ, PCL/PVA/PHMB, and PCL/PVA/PHMB/ZJ, underwent a morphology, physicochemical, and biological assessment. Incorporating PHMB into the nanofibers enhanced the antibacterial properties, effectively preventing bacterial infections in wounds. Furthermore, including ZJ fruit extract in the nanofibers provided antidiabetic properties, making these dressings suitable for diabetic patients. The PCL/PVA/PHMB/ZJ combination exhibited exceptional healing capabilities and superior antibacterial efficiency in MRSA-infected wounds. The histological assay confirmed complete wound healing by day 14, accompanied by reduced inflammation. Based on these findings, using PCL/PVA/PHMB/ZJ as innovative wound dressings is recommended, as they can expedite wound healing while offering significant antidiabetic and antibacterial features. Ultimately, these electrospun nanofibers possess the potential to serve as advanced wound dressings with enhanced antibacterial and anti-diabetes properties.

Functional analysis of two caffeoyl-coenzyme 3 a-o-methyltransferase involved in pear lignin metabolism.

Caffeoyl-coenzyme 3 A-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) plays a crucial role in the lignin synthesis in many higher plants. In this study, nine PbCCoAOMT genes in total were identified from pear, and classified into six categories. We treated pear fruits with hormones abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) and observed differential expression levels of these genes. Through qRT-PCR, we also preliminarily identified candidate PbCCoAOMT gene, potentially involved in lignin synthesis in pear fruits. Additionally, the overexpression of PbCCoAOMT1/2 in Arabidopsis and pear fruits increased in lignin content. Enzymatic assays showed that recombinant PbCCoAOMT1/2 proteins have similar enzymatic activity in vitro. The Y1H (Yeast one-hybrid) and dual luciferase (dual-LUC) experiments demonstrated that PbMYB25 can bind to the AC elements in the promoter region of the PbCCoAOMT1 gene. Our findings suggested that the PbCCoAOMT1 and PbCCoAOMT2 genes may contribute to the synthesis of lignin and provide insights into the mechanism of lignin biosynthesis and stone cell development in pear fruits.

Fruit and vegetable intake modifies the association between ultra-processed food and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), as well as to assess whether fruit and vegetable intake and weight change modify this association. METHODS: We included 1915 healthy participants who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), all of whom had complete demographic, anthropometric, and dietary measurements. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess UPF consumption based on the NOVA classification system. MetS was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement. Multivariable adjusted Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for MetS events across tertiles of UPF. The effect of fruit and vegetable consumption and weight change on this association was assessed using joint classification by Cox regression. RESULTS: UFP consumption showed no association with MetS risk after adjusting for confounders. However, after adjustment for dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables, the highest tertile of UPF consumption was positively linked to MetS risk, compared to the lowest tertile. There was a significant interaction between fruit, vegetable, and dietary fiber intake and UPF consumption concerning the risk of MetS (All P values < 0.05). Among individuals consuming less than 248 g/day of fruit, the risk of MetS increased by 54% (confidence interval: 1.13-2.10) in the highest UPF tertile. Consuming vegetables and dietary fiber below the median (258 g/day and 42.2 g/day, respectively) increased the risk of MetS in the third tertile of UPF. However, consuming vegetables and fiber ≥ median intake, reduced the risk of MetS among those with the lowest UPF consumption. Furthermore, the risk of MetS was observed in the third tertile of UPF consumption among individuals with fruit and vegetable consumption < 537 g/day. UPF consumption was not associated with the risk of MetS in different weight change statuses. CONCLUSIONS: Consuming more fruits and vegetables mitigated the adverse effect of UPF on the risk of developing MetS.

Photoprotective potential of Passiflora cincinnata Mast. (Passifloraceae) hydro-alcoholic extracts.

Passiflora cincinnata is a Passifloraceae typical of the Caatinga, a biome unique to Brazil. It has various pharmacological properties associated with its high flavonoid content. Vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin and derivatives are the main chemical and pharmacological markers for this plant. Although flavonoids enriched-extracts have been widely applied in phytocosmetics, especially in sunscreen formulations, the use of P. cincinnata as a photoprotective ingredient remains unexplored. Different hydro-alcoholic extracts were prepared and their antioxidant and photoprotective activities were evaluated by in vitro assays. The most promising extract (Pc-1) was analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Nine flavonoids were identified as major compounds: isovitexin-7-O-glucoside, isoorientin-2"O-hexoside, orientin, isoorientin, isovitexin-2"-O-glucoside, isovitexin-6"-O-glucoside, isoscoparin and isoquercitrin. Finally, Pc-1 (5 and 10%, v/v) was incorporated into gel formulations, alone or combined to commercial chemical filters (benzophenone-3 and octyl methoxycinnamate). Formulations containing Pc-1 showed high SPFspectrophotometric values. When combined to commercial filters, Pc-1 (5%) potentiated their photoprotective efficacy (p<0.05). A physicochemical characterization indicated no incompatibility or signs of instability after extract incorporation. Altogether, these findings encourage the use of Pc-1 as a photoprotective ingredient or co-adjuvant in sunscreens formulations.

Preparation, characterization, in vitro and in vivo studies of liposomal berberine using novel natural fiber Interlaced liposomal technology.

Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), used in various traditional medicinal practices, has a variety of pharmacological effects. It is a plant-derived quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid with a low water solubility that may be used in the treatment of conditions such as hypercholesterolemia. However, the therapeutic use of BBR has been compromised because of its hydrophobic characteristics, in addition to its low stability and poor bioavailability. To overcome these drawbacks of BBR's oral bioavailability, technologies like liposomal delivery systems have been developed to ensure enhanced absorption. But conventional liposomes have low physical and chemical stability due to delicate liposomal membranes, peroxidation and rapid clearance from the bloodstream. Surface modification of liposomes could be a solution and creating a liposome with plant-based fibers as surface material will provide enhanced stability, aqueous solubility and protection against degradation. Consequently, the aim of this study is to create and describe a Fiber Interlaced Liposome™ (FIL) as a vehicle for an enhanced bioavailability platform for BBR and other biomolecules. This optimised FIL-BBR formulation was analysed for its structural and surface morphological characteristics by using FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD, zeta potential and DSC. Encapsulation efficiency, stability, and sustained release studies were done using an in vitro digestion model with simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. FIL formulation showed a sustained release of BBR at 59.03 % as compared to the unformulated control (46.73 %) after 8 h of dialysis. Furthermore, the FIL-BBR demonstrated enhanced stability in the simulated gastric fluid (SGF) in addition to a more sustained release in the simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The efficacy of FIL-BBR were further anlaysed by an in vivo bioavailability study using male Wistar rats and it demonstrated a 3.37 -fold higher relative oral bioavailability compared to the unformulated BBR. The AUC 0-t for BBR in FIL-BBR was 1.38 ng.h/mL, significantly greater than the unformulated BBR (0.041 ng.h/mL). Similarly, the Cmax for BBR in FIL-BBR (50.98 ng/mL) was discovered to be far greater than unformulated BBR (15.54 ng/mL) after the oral administration. These findings imply that fiber based liposomal encapsulation improves the stability and slows down BBR release, which could be advantageous for applications requiring a higher bioavailability and a more sustained release.

Object-oriented multi-scale segmentation and multi-feature fusion-based method for identifying typical fruit trees in arid regions using Sentinel-1/2 satellite images.

Fruit tree identification that is quick and precise lays the groundwork for scientifically evaluating orchard yields and dynamically monitoring planting areas. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of time series Sentinel-1/2 satellite data for fruit tree classification and to provide a new method for accurately extracting fruit tree species. Therefore, the study area selected is the Tarim Basin, the most important fruit-growing region in northwest China. The main focus is on identifying several major fruit tree species in this region. Time series Sentinel-1/2 satellite images acquired from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform are used for the study. A multi-scale segmentation approach is applied, and six categories of features including spectral, phenological, texture, polarization, vegetation index, and red edge index features are constructed. A total of forth-four features are extracted and optimized using the Vi feature importance index to determine the best time phase. Based on this, an object-oriented (OO) segmentation combined with the Random Forest (RF) method is used to identify fruit tree species. To find the best method for fruit tree identification, the results are compared with three other widely used traditional machine learning algorithms: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), and Classification and Regression Tree (CART). The results show that: (1) the object-oriented segmentation method helps to improve the accuracy of fruit tree identification features, and September satellite images provide the best time window for fruit tree identification, with spectral, phenological, and texture features contributing the most to fruit tree species identification. (2) The RF model has higher accuracy in identifying fruit tree species than other machine learning models, with an overall accuracy (OA) and a kappa coefficient (KC) of 94.60% and 93.74% respectively, indicating that the combination of object-oriented segmentation and RF algorithm has great value and potential for fruit tree identification and classification. This method can be applied to large-scale fruit tree remote sensing classification and provides an effective technical means for monitoring fruit tree planting areas using medium-to-high-resolution remote sensing images.

LcMPK3 and LcMPK6 positively regulate fruitlet abscission in litchi.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades have been discovered to play a fundamental role in regulating organ abscission. However, the identity of protein substrates targeted by MAPK cascades, as well as whether the role of MAPK protein cascades in the abscission process is conserved across different plant species, remain unknown. Here, the role of homologs of MPK3 and MPK6 in regulating fruit abscission were characterized in litchi. Ectopic expression of LcMPK3 or LcMPK6 in Arabidopsis mpk3 mpk6 mutant rescued the deficiency in floral organ abscission, while silencing of LcMPK3 or LcMPK6 in litchi significantly decreased fruitlet abscission. Importantly, a total of 49 proteins interacting with LcMPK3 were identified through yeast two-hybrid screening, including two components of the MAPK signaling cascade, five transcription factors, and two aquaporins. Furthermore, the interaction between LcMPK3/6 with LcBZR1/2, core components in brassinosteroids signaling that suppress litchi fruitlet abscission, was confirmed using in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, phos-tag assays demonstrated that LcMPK3/6 could phosphorylate LcBZR1/2, with several phosphorylation residues identified. Together, our findings suggest that LcMPK3 and LcMPK6 play a positive regulatory role in fruitlet abscission in litchi, and offer crucial information for the investigation of mechanisms underlying MPK3/6-mediated organ abscission in plants.

Pyrolysis of metal oxides treated Canarium schweinfurthii Shell: Investigation of thermogravimetric kinetics and thermodynamics.

Metal oxides as catalysts alter the properties of the pyrolysis vapor secondary reactions during the thermal decomposition of several biomass leading to high-value bio-oils. This study aimed to investigate the thermal decomposition characteristics of Canarium Schweinfurthii (CS) shells that were treated with various metal oxides (ZnO, CuO, Fe2O3/FeO, and Fe2O3) using pyrolysis. The study also sought to identify pyrolysis reaction parameters (kinetics and thermodynamics parameters) that are not widely documented. Thermogravimetric pyrolysis was carried out at different heating rates, and the undocumented pyrolysis kinetic parameters were determined using the Flynn-Wall Ozawa method (FWO) according to American Standard Testing and Materials (ASTM) 6441 guidelines for assessing biomass decomposition. The metal oxide-treated CS shells lost significant weight between 62 and 67 wt% during the thermogravimetric pyrolysis, lower than 75 wt% of the CS shell. The average activation energies (Eα) for pyrolysis of the ZnO, CuO, Fe2O3/FeO, and Fe2O3 treated CS shells were 203.04, 155.35, 338.85, and 219.92 kJ/mol, respectively in contrast to that of the untreated CS-shell. The Bayesian Information Criteria revealed that the diffusion kinetics of the Gistling-Brounshtein model best describes the pyrolysis of the shell mixed with metal oxides. The metal oxides affected the CS shells' pyrolysis kinetic parameter (Eα), which can promote pyrolysis vapor upgrading to encourage the widespread use of metal oxides in pyrolysis for bioenergy and chemical recovery.

Metabolic and gene-expression analyses reveal developmental dynamics of cutin deposition in pomegranate fruit grown under different environmental conditions.

The chemical and transcriptional changes in the cuticle of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit grown under different environmental conditions were studied. We collected fruit from three orchards located in different regions in Israel, each with a distinct microclimate. Fruit were collected at six phenological stages, and cutin monomers in the fruit cuticle were profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), along with qPCR transcript-expression analyses of selected cutin-related genes. While fruit phenotypes were comparable along development in all three orchards, principal component analyses of cutin monomer profiles suggested clear separation between cuticle samples of young green fruit to those of maturing fruit. Moreover, total cutin contents in green fruit were lower in the orchard characterized by a hot and dry climate compared to orchards with moderate temperatures. The variances detected in total cutin contents between orchards corresponded well with the expression patterns of BODYGUARD, a key biosynthetic gene operating in the cutin biosynthetic pathway. Based on our extraction protocols, we found that the cutin polyester that builds the pomegranate fruit cuticle accumulates some levels of gallic acid-the precursor of punicalagin, a well-known potent antioxidant metabolite in pomegranate fruit. The gallic acid was also one of the predominant metabolites contributing to the variability between developmental stages and orchards, and its accumulation levels were opposite to the expression patterns of the UGT73AL1 gene which glycosylates gallic acid to synthesize punicalagin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed composition of the cutin polyester that forms the pomegranate fruit cuticle.

Application of sulfur-based products reduces Halyomorpha halys infestation and damage in pome fruit orchards.

BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest that causes economic damage on crops, decreasing fruit yield and quality. Conventional insecticides are frequently used to reduce infestations, but these are often with a limited residual effect, besides being costly and detrimental to nontarget organisms and the environment. In integrated pest management, novel strategies against H. halys are proposed, such as the use of alternative substances with an effect on insect behaviour and mobility. As one of the oldest multi-site fungicides applied against fungal pathogens and as an insecticide and acaricide to control scales and mites, sulfur is proposed here to reduce H. halys infestation in fruit orchards. RESULTS: Field experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of repeated wettable sulfur applications on H. halys in apple and pear orchards. Sulfur-induced plant phytotoxicity effects and quanti-qualitative parameters on apple fruits were also recorded. Halyomorpha halys infestation was significantly reduced in sulfur-treated compared to untreated pears and apples. Furthermore, sulfur sprays reduced fruit damage caused by H. halys. Besides, sulfur-mediated phytotoxicity such as symptoms on leaves and fruit drop were not observed. Fruit quality was not influenced by sulfur treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Wettable sulfur seems to be a promising formulation given the low phytotoxicity, considering the technical aspects for an effective use of sulfur-based products to counteract H. halys in pome fruit orchards. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The effect of Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) fruit extracted with ethanol on TNF-α and TRPA-1 levels in type II diabetes-induced mice.

Objective: The present study investigated the effects of Andaliman fruit extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transient receptor potential ankyrin-1 (TRPA-1) levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mouse models induced with streptozocin (STZ) and a high-fat diet (HFD). Materials and Methods: In this research, mice were allocated into six distinct groups: normal, negative control (HFD and STZ), positive control (metformin, HFD, and STZ), and three treatment groups (HFD, STZ, and Andaliman extract at varying dosages of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg, respectively). Body weight and blood glucose levels (BGLs) were recorded at weeks 1 (baseline), 8, 12, and 16. The levels of TNF-α and TRPA-1 were measured during the 16th week. Results: Phytochemical screening of the Andaliman extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and glycosides. The one-way ANOVA revealed significantly elevated BGL at week 16 in the negative control group in comparison to the other groups (p < 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons showed that the negative control had significantly higher TNF-α levels than the Andaliman-groups (z = 22.11, p < 0.01). TRPA-1 was significantly higher in the negative control group compared to the treatment groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Spearman's rho analysis revealed a statistically significant positive association between BGL and both TNF-α and TRPA-1, as well as between TNF-α and TRPA. Conclusion: Andaliman extract potentially serves as a therapy for diabetic neuropathy in T2DM by lowering BGL and inhibiting the expression of TNF-α and TRPA-1.

Potential Health Benefits of a Diet Rich in Organic Fruit and Vegetables versus a Diet Based on Conventional Produce: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Over the past decade, the production and consumption of organic food (OF) have received increasing interest. Scientific studies have shown better quality of organic fruit and vegetables (FV) in terms of nutrients and pesticide contents, but it appears difficult to conclude if there are potentially greater health benefits of these products compared with conventional food (CF). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the current scientific literature demonstrates that a diet rich in organic FV is healthier than 1 based on conventional produce. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles published between January 2003 and December 2022. Articles were analyzed uniformly by 2 reviewer, using a specific template summary sheet, and scored from 1 to 5. The level of evidence and the quality of studies in humans were assessed using the Jadad score and the French National Authority for Health method. RESULTS: A total of 12 human studies were included. Studies often reported contradictory or even opposite results, with methodological limitations. Only 6 of the 12 studies found significant associations between OF and the health outcomes evaluated. CONCLUSION: The current data do not enable a firm conclusion about a greater health benefit for a diet rich in FV based on products grown organically compared with conventional farming. There is a paucity of available data and considerable heterogeneity in study designs (participants, exposures, durations, health outcomes, and residual confounding factors). Well-designed interventional studies are required.

Phylogenomic analysis and molecular identification of true fruit flies.

The family Tephritidae in the order Diptera, known as true fruit flies, are agriculturally important insect pests. However, the phylogenetic relationships of true fruit flies, remain controversial. Moreover, rapid identification of important invasive true fruit flies is essential for plant quarantine but is still challenging. To this end, we sequenced the genome of 16 true fruit fly species at coverage of 47-228×. Together with the previously reported genomes of nine species, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees of the Tephritidae using benchmarking universal single-copy ortholog (BUSCO), ultraconserved element (UCE) and anchored hybrid enrichment (AHE) gene sets, respectively. The resulting trees of 50% taxon-occupancy dataset for each marker type were generally congruent at 88% nodes for both concatenation and coalescent analyses. At the subfamily level, both Dacinae and Trypetinae are monophyletic. At the species level, Bactrocera dorsalis is more closely related to Bactrocera latifrons than Bactrocera tryoni. This is inconsistent with previous conclusions based on mitochondrial genes but consistent with recent studies based on nuclear data. By analyzing these genome data, we screened ten pairs of species-specific primers for molecular identification of ten invasive fruit flies, which PCR validated. In summary, our work provides draft genome data of 16 true fruit fly species, addressing the long-standing taxonomic controversies and providing species-specific primers for molecular identification of invasive fruit flies.

Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical observational studies aims to clarify the correlation between the intake levels of fruits and vegetables and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies on the association between vegetable or fruit intake with the risk of NAFLD from the foundation of each database up until September 2023. The relative risk (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled for both the highest and lowest consumption levels of vegetables and fruits to explore their association with the incidence of NAFLD. Results: The meta-analysis encompassed 11 studies with a total of 493,682 patients. A higher consumption of vegetables (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67-0.91) and fruits (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.83-0.93) was found to have a negative correlation with the risk of NAFLD, denoting an inverse association. This correlation, however, varied among different ethnic groups and gender. Conclusions: Our results indicate that increased consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with a reduced likelihood of developing NAFLD. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#searchadvanced, identifier: CRD42023460430.

Risk assessment of Phlyctinus callosus for the EU.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a quantitative risk assessment for the EU of Phlyctinus callosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a polyphagous pest occurring in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The current risk assessment focused on potential pathways for entry, the climatic conditions allowing establishment, the expected spread capacity and the impact considering a time horizon of 10 years (2023-2032). The Panel identified the import of apples, cut flowers and table grapes as the most relevant entry pathways. Over the next 10 years, an annual median estimate of approximately 49.5 (90% certainty range, CR, ranging from 4.0 to 881.2) potential P. callosus founder populations are expected. When the probability of establishment is considered and climatic indicators are used to define the areas in the EU where establishment is possible, the model estimated a median of 1 founder population every 1.3 years (90% CR: 1 every 30.8 years to 23.3 per year) in the scenario where the areas are defined by the union of all the climatic indicators and 1 founder population every 11.9 years (90% CR: 1 every 256.6 years to 2.5 per year) in the scenario where establishment is possible only in the areas defined by the climatic indicator of minimum soil temperature. The estimated number of founder populations per year is mostly driven by the probability of establishment in the rural areas, infestation rate in table grapes and the probability of transfer to a suitable host in the rural area. The risk of entry for cut flowers and apples is substantially lower than the risk from the table grapes. If such founder populations were to establish, P. callosus is estimated to spread by natural dispersal and common agricultural practices at a rate of 15.5 m/year (90% CR 5.1-46.8 m/year) after a lag phase of 4.0 years (90% CR 1.3-8.7 years). The impact, expressed as percentage loss of the production directly attributable to P. callosus in the areas where establishment is possible and assuming farmers do not apply specific control measures was estimated at 0.5% (90% CR 0.01%-2.8%) for cut flowers/foliage, 5.2% (90% CR 2.2%-11.7%) for apples and 2% (90% CR 1.3%-5.2%) for table grapes. Options for risk reduction are discussed, but their effectiveness is not quantified.

Interaction of a source rich in phytonutrients (fruits peel pellets) and polyunsaturated oil (Tung oil) on in vitro ruminal fermentation, methane production, and nutrient digestibility.

Tropical fruit peels from mangosteen, rambutan, and banana are rich in phytonutrients. Several studies reported that the phytonutrients improved rumen fermentation. Nevertheless, the combination of phytonutrients and essential fatty acids on rumen fermentation have not yet been investigated. Hence, the aim of this research was to investigate the influence of fruit peel pellets (mangosteen, rambutan, and banana peel; MARABAC) containing phytonutrients and tung oil supplementation on rumen fermentation and the degradability of nutrients. Four levels of MARABAC (0, 2, 4, and 6 %) and four levels of tung oil (0, 2, 4, and 6 %) were supplemented with concentrate according to a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD). Rumen fermentation parameters, including gas production, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids (VFA), nutrient degradability (IVDMD and IVOMD), and in vitro methane (CH4) production were determined. The results showed that there were no interactions between MARABAC and Tung oil treatments for all terms of kinetic gas and cumulative gas, IVDMD and IVOMD, and in vitro ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N). However, when combining MARABAC and tung oil beyond the 4 % level, VFA and in vitro CH4 production was severely affected. The supplementation of MARABAC and tung oil decreased gas production and rumen nutrient degradability (p < 0.05). Acetate (C2) and propionate (C3) production were significantly affected by the level of MARABAC supplementation. NH3-N was dropped when levels of MARABAC and tung oil supplementation were increased. There were interactions between MARABAC and tung oil on total VFA and in vitro CH4 production at 8 h (h). In addition, in vitro CH4 production decreased (p < 0.05) with higher levels of MARABAC supplementation. It could be concluded that MARABAC and tung oil supplementation significantly contributed to improving the production of gas and could be applied to decrease rumen CH4 production, thereby reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

On the Rapid Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide via Ultrasound-Promoted Eco-Friendly Reduction Approach and Its Effects on Physicochemical Properties.

The common synthesis approach of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using toxic reducing agents poses a threat to environmental pollution. This study used banana peel extract as a green reducing agent for the synthesis of rGO. Ultrasonication was assimilated to expedite the synthesis process. For comparison, rGO was also produced by reducing GO with hydrazine treatment under conventional stirring. Both morphological (SEM) and physicochemical (FTIR and XRD) studies have revealed that banana peel extract can reduce GO to rGO, although its reducing effect is much weaker compared to hydrazine. Despite this, the rGO produced using banana peel extract with the assimilation of ultrasonication technique has a greater interlayer spacing than that formed under the conventional stirring method. In terms of electrical properties, the electrical conductance of hydrazine-produced rGO (5.69 × 10-6 S) is higher than the banana peel extract-produced rGO (3.55 × 10-6 S - 4.56 × 10-6 S). Interestingly, it was found that most of the rGO produced by banana peel extract under ultrasound assistance has higher or comparable electrical conductance compared to the rGO produced by banana peel extract under stirring method. This implies the feasibility of using short-period ultrasound to replace conventional stirring in rGO synthesis.

Evaluating the Association of the Increase in the WIC Cash Value Benefit on the Diversity of MyPlate Fruits and Vegetables Redeemed and Consumed By Children in Low-Income Households.

Background: Fruits and vegetables (FV) are a critical source of nutrients, yet children in the United States are not meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The monthly FV cash value benefit (CVB) included in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)'s food package to support child FV intake (FVI) received a substantial increase for economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To evaluate how an expansion of the monthly WIC CVB to purchase FV for WIC children ages 1-4 y is associated with diversity in FV redeemed, and how changes in redeemed FV are related to FVI. Methods: Caregivers representing 1463 WIC-participating children recruited from Los Angeles County, California, completed surveys during the CVB augmentation (T1: CVB = $9/mo; T2 = $35/mo; T3 = $24/mo). Redeemed price look-up codes (PLUs), corresponding to a food item, were assigned to its corresponding MyPlate FV group. Multivariable generalized estimating equation regression models assessed changes in amount and diversity of FV redemption across MyPlate groups and associations between changes in FV diversity and changes in FVI. Results: Slightly over half of all households were food insecure (55%), half of the children were female (52%), and most were Hispanic (78%). Compared with T1, significant increases in the number of PLUs and dollars redeemed were observed in most MyPlate FV groups. From T1 to T2, significant increases in diversity scores were observed for total fruit (ß: 1.6 pts; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4, 1.7), total vegetable (ß: 3.6 pts; 95%CI: 3.4, 3.9), and total FV (ß:7.8 pts; 95%CI: 7.4, 8.2). Similarly, increases in diversity score were observed at T3 compared with T1. Changes in FV diversity redeemed were not associated with changes in FVI. Conclusions: During the CVB augmentation, WIC participants redeemed a greater amount and variety of FV according to DGA MyPlate recommendations, supporting its permanent increase.