Search Results (2,075)

In the recent era, bio-nanocomposites represent an emerging group of nanostructured hybrid materials and have been included in a new field at the frontier of materials science, life sciences, and nanotechnology. These biohybrid materials reveal developed structural and functional features of great attention for diverse uses. These materials take advantage of the synergistic assembling of biopolymers with nanometer-sized reinforcements. Conversely, polysaccharides have received great attention due to their several biological properties like antimicrobial and antioxidant performance. They mainly originated in different parts of plants, animals, seaweed, and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and yeasts). Polysaccharide-based nanocomposites have great features, like developed physical, structural, and functional features; affordability; biodegradability; and biocompatibility. These bio-based nanocomposites have been applied in biomedical, water treatment, food industries, etc. This paper will focus on the very recent trends in bio-nanocomposite based on polysaccharides for diverse applications. Sources and extraction methods of polysaccharides and preparation methods of their nanocomposites will be discussed. Full article

Scientific evaluation of cultivated land quality (CLQ) is necessary for promoting rational utilization of cultivated land and achieving one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Zero Hunger. However, the CLQ evaluation system proposed in previous studies was diversified, and the methods were inefficient. In this study, based on China’s first national standard “Cultivated Land Quality Grade” (GB/T 33469-2016), we constructed a unified county-level CLQ evaluation system by selecting 15 indicators from five aspects—site condition, environmental condition, physicochemical property, nutrient status and field management—and used the Delphi method to calculate the membership degree of the indicators. Taking Jimo district of Shandong Province, China, as a case study, we compared the performance of three machine learning models, including random forest, AdaBoost, and support vector regression, to evaluate CLQ using multi-temporal remote sensing data. The comprehensive index method was used to reveal the spatial distribution of CLQ. The results showed that the CLQ evaluation based on multi-temporal remote sensing data and machine learning model was efficient and reliable, and the evaluation results had a significant positive correlation with crop yield (r was 0.44, p < 0.001). The proportions of cultivated land of high-, medium- and poor-quality were 27.43%, 59.37% and 13.20%, respectively. The CLQ in the western part of the study area was better, while it was worse in the eastern and central parts. The main limiting factors include irrigation capacity and texture configuration. Accordingly, a series of targeted measures and policies were suggested, such as strengthening the construction of farmland water conservancy facilities, deep tillage of soil and continuing to construct well-facilitated farmland. This study proposed a fast and reliable method for evaluating CLQ, and the results are helpful to promote the protection of cultivated land and ensure food security. Full article

Acrylamide is a contaminant formed during heat treatment that poses potential health risks and occurs naturally in foods. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate exposure from the consumption of foods containing acrylamide since dietary exposure continues throughout life. In this study, the acrylamide exposure level of people living in Türkiye is estimated. Consumption of a total of 28 foods in 9 different food groups was calculated using a deterministic model under two different scenarios. The exposure levels were evaluated in terms of carcinogenic, non-carcinogenic and neurotoxic health risks. The daily total acrylamide exposure levels of individuals aged 15 and older were determined as 58 µg/day (0.85 µg/kg bw/day) and 196 µg/day (2.80 µg/kg bw/day) for the good and bad scenarios, respectively. The highest daily acrylamide exposure in the good scenario came from brewed black tea (29%), whereas French fries (50%) were the source of highest daily acrylamide exposure in the bad scenario. According to the hazard index (HI) and margin of exposure (MOE) data, the good scenario (all food) is considered safe, while the bad scenario (all food) has potential and serious health risks. According to the carcinogenic risk (CR) data, both scenarios carry significant health risks. It is therefore important that consumers, producers and official institutions collaborate and take measures to reduce acrylamide exposure. Full article

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the influence of diet and nutrition items on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Hirschsprung Disease (HD). Method: An online questionnaire was created to obtain patient-reported outcomes using the multinational Holistic Care in Hirschsprung Disease Network. This was distributed in Dutch, English, German, Italian, Polish, and Swedish via patient associations. Information on demographics, the extension of disease, current diet, and the influence of food ingredients on bowel function were obtained. Results: In total, 563 questionnaires were answered by parents or patients themselves. The length of the aganglionic segment was short in 33%, long in 45%, total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) in 11%, and involved the small intestine in 10%. Overall, 90% reported following a mixed diet, and 31% reported taking probiotics, with twice as many patients taking probiotics in the TCA group compared to standard HD. Mealtimes and behaviours around eating were affected by 61%, while 77% had established food items that worsened symptoms, and of these, 80% stated that they had worked these items out themselves. A high-fibre diet was followed by 24% and 18% a low-fibre diet. Symptoms were reported, particularly from dairy in 30%, fruits in 39%, pulses in 54%, and sugar in 48%. Conclusions: This first multinational survey on diet and bowel function in HD reports an association between certain dietary items with gastrointestinal symptoms. This study can support an improved understanding of the interaction between food items and bowel function in children with HD. We suggest a multidisciplinary approach to balance dietary exclusions and support adequate growth, preventing nutrition deficiencies and enhancing quality of life. Full article

Chicken eggs are a staple food widely consumed directly or indirectly (as an ingredient in other food items) in Saudi Arabia. Due to the importance of eggs in Saudi consumers’ diet, this study aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors affecting Saudi consumer demand for eggs and how changes in egg prices and consumer income may influence dietary intake derived from eggs. This study analyzes survey data from 466 respondents. We used a double-log demand model to obtain the price and income elasticities of egg demand. The results show that the price elasticity of egg demand is negative and inelastic, indicating that changes in egg price have a small influence on egg demand. Additionally, income elasticity is positive and <1, implying that eggs are a necessary food item. Cross-price elasticities show that cheese and milk complement egg consumption. Meanwhile, cornflakes (a breakfast cereal) were found to be a good substitute for eggs. Furthermore, the results show that consumer demand for eggs is expected to increase as household size increases. Women exhibited a higher demand for eggs, compared with men. Nutrient income elasticity shows that an increase in consumer income increases protein, fat, and calorie intake from eggs. Nutrient price elasticity shows that an increase in egg price has the greatest negative influence on protein intake, resulting from a decrease in egg consumption. This study recommends that decision makers actively monitor egg prices and take all necessary actions to prevent spikes in egg prices, as this will improve nutritional and food security and help consumers maintain a stable protein intake from egg consumption. Full article

The black soil region of Northeast China is the largest commercial grain production base in China, accounting for about 25% of the total in China. In this region, the water erosion is prominent, which seriously threatens China’s food security. It is of great significance to effectively identify the erosion-prone points for the prevention and control of soil erosion on the slope of the black soil region in Northeast China. This article takes the Tongshuang small watershed (Heilongjiang Province in China) as an example, which is dominated by hilly landforms with mainly black soil and terraces planted with corn and soybeans. Based on the 2.5 cm resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) reconstructed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we explore the optimal resolution for hydrological simulation research on sloping farmland in the black soil region of Northeast China and explore the critical water depth at which erosion damage occurs in ridges on this basis. The results show that the following: (1) Compared with the 2 m resolution DEM, the interpretation accuracy of field roads, wasteland, damaged points, ridges and cultivated land at the 0.2 m resolution is increased by 4.55–27.94%, which is the best resolution in the study region. (2) When the water depth is between 0.335 and 0.359 m, there is a potential erosion risk of ridges. When the average water depth per unit length is between 0.0040 and 0.0045, the ridge is in the critical range for its breaking, and when the average water depth per unit length is less than the critical range, ridge erosion damage occurs. (3) When local erosion damage occurs, the connectivity will change abruptly, and the remarkable change in the index of connectivity (IC) can provide a reference for predicting erosion damage. Full article

A review of the current state of the theory and practice of bioenergy production from waste allowed us to identify the scientific and applied problem of substantiating the rational configuration of a modular anaerobic bioenergy system, taking into account the volume of organic waste generated in settlements. To solve this problem, this paper develops an approach and an algorithm for matching the configuration of a modular anaerobic bioenergy production system with the amount of organic waste generated in residential areas. Unlike the existing tools, this takes into account the peculiarities of residential areas, which is the basis for accurate forecasting of organic waste generation and, accordingly, determining the configuration of the bioenergy production system. In addition, for each of the scenarios, the anaerobic digestion process is modeled, which allows us to determine the functional indicators that underlie the determination of a rational configuration in terms of cost and environmental performance. Based on the use of the developed tools for the production conditions of the Golosko residential area, Lviv (Ukraine), possible scenarios for the installation of modular anaerobic bioenergy production systems are substantiated. It was found that the greatest annual benefits are obtained from the processing of mixed food and yard waste. The payback period of investments in modular anaerobic bioenergy production systems for given conditions of a residential area largely depends on their configuration and ranges from 3.3 to 8.4 years, which differ from each other by 2.5 times. This indicates that the developed toolkit is of practical value, as it allows the coordination of the rational configuration of modular anaerobic bioenergy production systems with real production conditions. In the future, it is recommended to use the proposed decision support system to model the use of biomass as an energy resource in residential areas, which ensures the determination of the rational configuration of a modular anaerobic bioenergy production system for given conditions. Full article

Sustainable agricultural practices need to be continuously sought after so that a greater number of producers can adopt them, taking into account, above all, the food security scenario, land use efficiency, and climate change. Intercropping—a cultivation system in which two or more species are grown in close proximity in the same field—is one strategy to increase diversity in the agroecosystem. However, for intercropping systems to be adopted, their productive and economic advantages over monoculture must be clearly demonstrated. Banana (Musa sp.) growers are interested in crop diversification as a potential strategy to increase production yields and, consequently, economic income. The management of banana crops can be facilitated by intercropping, as this system plays an important role in increasing biodiversity and reducing the need for weed control in the crop rows, promoting better land use efficiency. However, this system should be evaluated alongside other indicators. Banana intercropping has significant potential and many benefits, but success depends on the interaction between the component species, appropriate management practices, and favorable environmental conditions. This review aims to provide an overview of recent studies on banana intercropping systems, focusing on the contextualization of land use, monoculture and intercropping, and evaluating intercropping indicators, as well as the benefits, risks, and disadvantages discussed in the literature, and the main outcomes of banana-based intercropping systems. The main findings relate to the possibility of using intercrops with aromatic species and the preliminary reports on the contributions of intercrops to the suppression of Fusarium wilt disease. Full article

Rapidly changing external conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which are pure crisis phenomena, not only determine the geopolitical and geoeconomic situation in the global markets but also cause structural changes in individual countries. Under these conditions, the level of food self-sufficiency becomes particularly important, as it is one of the factors determining the food security of any country. The aim of this research is to assess Ukraine’s food self-sufficiency compared to the European Union and Poland. The self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) index was used to assess food self-sufficiency. This is the ratio of the volume of production of the most important products of plant and animal origin to the volume of domestic consumption. Domestic consumption was defined as the volume of domestic production plus the volume of imports minus the volume of exports, and it also included changes in domestic stock levels. The surveyed time frame is 2019–2021. The analyzed data were taken from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, FAOSTAT, USDA, and Statistics Poland. A comparative analysis of self-sufficiency for the main agri-food sectors of Ukraine, the EU, and Poland showed significant differences. Taking into account the production potential and food self-sufficiency indicators of Ukraine, Ukraine’s possible accession to the EU can be expected to have a major impact on the EU’s supply and demand situation, as it may pose a threat to many EU agri-food sectors. Full article

We present a mathematical model for agri-food industry residual streams flow management, which serves as a decision support tool for optimizing their valorization. The aim is to determine, under a cost-benefit analysis approach, the best strategy at a global level. The proposed mathematical model provides the optimal valorization scenario, namely the set of routes followed by agri-food industry residual streams that maximizes the total profit obtained. The model takes into account the complete stoichiometry of the residual stream at each step of the valorization route. Furthermore, the model allows for the calculations of different scenarios to support decision-making. The proposed approach is illustrated through a case study using a real-case network of a region. The case study bears evidence that the use of the model can lead to significant profit increases compared to those obtained with current practices. Moreover, notable profit improvements are obtained in the case study if the selling price of all the value-added products considered increases or if the processing cost of the animal feed producer decreases. Therefore, our model enables the detection of key factors that influence the optimal strategy, making it a powerful decision-support tool for optimizing the valorization of agri-food industry residual streams. Full article

Microeukaryotes are a diverse and often overlooked group of microbes that are important in food webs and other ecological linkages. Little is known about microeukaryotes associated with aquatic invertebrates, although filter feeders such as mussels are likely to take in and potentially retain microeukaryotes in their gut while feeding. Microeukaryotes such as apicomplexans have been reported in marine mussel species, but no studies have examined the presence of these microorganisms in freshwater mussels or how they relate to mussel host species or environmental conditions. In this study, microbial community DNA was extracted from the gut tissue of over 300 freshwater mussels, representing 22 species collected from rivers in the southeastern USA. Microeukaryote DNA was detected using PCR amplification, followed by the sequencing of positive amplicons. Microeukaryotes were found in 167 individual mussels (53%) of those tested. Amplicons included dinoflagellates/algae that differed between mussel species and are likely food sources that were distinct from those found in water and sediment samples analyzed concurrently. A total of 5% of the positive amplicons were non-photosynthetic alveolates that could represent parasitic microeukaryotes. Understanding the distribution of microeukaryotes in the freshwater mussel gut microbiome could further our understanding of the ongoing decline of mussel populations. Full article

The area of Sia Kouanza in the Sahel of southwestern Niger is a potential location for expanding agriculture through irrigation with groundwater. Agriculture is key to supporting smallholders and promoting food security. As plans proceed, questions include how much water is available, how is groundwater replenished, many hectares to develop, and where to locate the wells. While these questions can be addressed with a model, it is difficult to find detailed procedures, especially when data are scarce. How can we use existing information to develop a model of a natural system where groundwater development will take place? We describe an approach that can be employed in data-scarce areas where similar questions are being asked. The approach includes setting details; conceptual model development; water balance; numerical code MODFLOW; model construction, calibration, and statistics; and result interpretation. Conceptual model component estimates are derived from field data: recharge, evapotranspiration, wetlands discharge, existing extraction, and river stages. When field data are not available or scarce, we employ other sources and describe how they are validated with field data or analog sites. The calibrated steady-state model gives a water balance of 22 × 10⁶ m³/yr with inflows (recharge 22 × 10⁶ m³/yr) and outflows (extraction 7.2 × 10⁵ m³/yr, wetlands 5.7 × 10⁶ m³/yr, evapotranspiration 11.9 × 10⁶ m³/yr). The model is a point of departure; approaches for transient and predictive models, which can be used to simulate changes in irrigation pumping volumes and drought, for example, will be described subsequently. Full article

Dietary factors may be implicated in the formation of kidney stones and should be closely monitored. To achieve this aim, patients are routinely assessed by means of generic dietary recall, a tool widely used by authors in a range of extensive patient populations to record food intake; the findings obtained, however, may be skewed due to dietary variations and underestimation of the effect of food additives. Fifty Frequent Kidney Stone Formers (FKSFs, mean age: 54.3 ± 13.9 years) with normal kidney function, absence of comorbidities, and reliable compliance were selected from a total of 68 patients’ resident in Sardinia, an Italian island where genetic admixtures have been relatively rare for generations. The study, conducted from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023, was aimed at assessing nutritional values based on the meticulous recording of food quantities, quality, and potential modifications related to food preparation. Patients were selected during an initial clinical check-up and all efforts made to ensure they were capable of reliably recording all food and drinks consumed. A seven-day food diary was provided in which food and drink intake and their impact on 24 h urine output was recorded. The following parameters were measured in both foods and urine output: citrates, oxalates, calcium, phosphorous, uric acid, proteins and nitrogen compounds, magnesium, sulfates, potassium, carbohydrates, free fatty acids. Study outcomes established the presence of hypocitraturia, hyperoxaluria, hypercalciuria, and moderately high levels of nitrogen compounds. Univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis for further confirmation were performed and the following observations made. Citrate intake correlated with citraturia but did not promote oxaluria; calcium intake promoted onset of sulfaturia, azoturia, and ammoniuria, whilst magnesium correlated with magnesiuria but not with oxaluria, calciuria, phosphaturia, and azoturia; sulfate intake elicited onset of azoturia but not kaliuresis; potassium intake promoted oxaluria and protein intake resulted in onset of ammoniuria and azoturia. (A) The chemical composition of urine based on dietary intake is hard to predict without taking into account the presence of dietary and urinary interferents; (B) the geographic isolation of patients studied underlines the importance of epigenetics in maintaining a traditional dietary heritage. (C) Moreover, the widespread use of food additives should consistently be taken into account to ensure a correct diagnosis of FKSF and set up a valid treatment plan. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant health concern influenced by various determinants. Stigma and resilience have emerged as factors in CVD development and management. Women with HIV (WWH) have higher CVD rates than women without HIV. To improve cardiovascular health for WWH, a comprehensive understanding of how these factors interact, the understanding about individual awareness and willingness to engage in risk-reduction interventions are needed. Methods: As part of a study examining CVD risk among WWH aged >35 years old, 90-min focus groups were conducted (May 2022) in the English language. Focus groups aimed to elicit participants’ CVD risk knowledge and potential prevention strategies. Transcripts underwent a qualitative analysis. Results: Nineteen WWH participated in three focus groups. Participants experienced the following: (a) enacted stigma related to their HIV diagnosis (e.g., family, church member, healthcare staff); (b) a recent event (e.g., hospitalization of self/family, death in family, chest pain) triggered both heart health-promoting lifestyle changes and suboptimal health behaviors (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic: unhealthy snacking). Participants wanted to obtain more knowledge (“on a mission”) about CVD risk. In total, 100% expressed willingness to take medication or embark on other lifestyle changes to prevent future CVD events. Although participants identified preventative heart health behaviors (e.g., eating healthy foods; exercising; limiting stress, substances, and smoking), misconceptions were also identified (e.g., “catching” heart disease). Conclusions: Understanding the interplay of the different factors related to heart health is needed both at the provider and the patient level to inform interventions that reduce CVD risk amongst racial/ethnic minoritized women with HIV, living in the Southern region of the US. Full article

Understanding the complex relationship between ESSD and human well-being is of paramount significance to protecting regional ecology, enhancing human well-being and achieving sustainable development. We take the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an example and use multi-source data to analyse land use and cover change, as well as the spatiotemporal evolution of ESSD and human well-being. We explore and reveal the coupling coordination relationship between ESSD and human well-being. The results show that from 2000 to 2020, the overall trend in ESs in the region improved significantly, and the supply notably increased, whereas the demand growth rate was even more pronounced. The supply–demand ratio for water yield and soil conservation showed little change, with variations of <10%. However, the supply–demand ratio for carbon sequestration declined significantly by 41.83%, whereas that for food supply increased notably by 42.93%. The overall spatial pattern in ESSD presented a mismatch, which was characterised by ‘low supply and high demand in the eastern region and high supply and low demand in the western region’. Overall, human well-being remained stable and was in line with the level of socio-economic development, thereby exhibiting a distinct trend of well-being ‘polarisation between the rich and poor’. Well-being was higher in the eastern and central urban agglomerations and lower in the western plateau and mountainous areas. Over 20 years, the degree of coupling coordination between ESSD and human well-being increased by 0.0107, and the coupling level gradually transitioned from moderate imbalance to moderate coordination. Spatially, Hubei Province, Chongqing Municipality and the Yangtze River Delta were the main ‘high–high’ agglomeration areas, whereas the Sichuan Basin and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau were the main ‘low–low’ agglomeration areas. Based on these findings, we propose the following management recommendations for the Yangtze River Economic Belt and other related great river economic belts: optimise land use structure, rationally allocate natural resources, strengthen regional and external connections and promote regional coordinated development, enhance the implementation of policies for ecological and environmental protection, establish regional ecological compensation mechanisms and coordinate ecological protection in a full scope and focus on harmonising human–land relationships, build a multi-stakeholder collaborative governance mechanism and promote regional ecological protection and the elevation of human well-being. Full article