Changes in Dietary Intake Patterns and Weight Status during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study Focusing on Young Adults in Malaysia

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation has altered individuals’ food purchasing behaviour and dietary intake patterns. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the changes in dietary intake patterns and their impacts on the weight status of young adults in Malaysia during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1045 young adults in Malaysia. The changes in dietary intake patterns were assessed using the Dietary Diversity Questionnaire with slight modifications, while anthropometric measurements including body height, body weight before the pandemic and current body weight were self-reported. Results: Overall, nearly half of the respondents (48.8%) gained weight during the confinement, with an average increment of 4.06 ± 3.23 kg. Of 1045, 45.3% reported consuming more fruits and 60.2% had higher plain water intake during the pandemic. It is observed that 41.0% to 66.8% of the young adults changed their dietary intake patterns during the pandemic. Increased consumption in cereals and grains (β = 0.084, p = 0.015, 95% CI = 0.017–0.160), as well as oils and fats (β = 0.123, p = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.059–0.241), was positively associated with weight gain during the pandemic. On the contrary, an increased plain water intake was negatively associated with weight gain during the lockdown (β = −0.100, p = 0.003, 95% CI = −0.171–−0.034). Findings in the current study also suggested that cutting back cereals and grains (β = 0.156, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.122–0.288), as well as oils and fats (β = 0.091, p = 0.012, 95% CI = 0.022–0.183), contributed significantly to weight loss during the pandemic confinement. Conclusion: In conclusion, the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) drove up the prevalence of overweight/obesity among young adults in Malaysia. Increased consumption of cereals and grains and oils and fats contributed to weight gain in the pandemic lockdown. Nonetheless, a noticeable proportion of young adults in Malaysia shifted to a healthier food choice by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Exploration of Breastfeeding Practices in India: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Breastfeeding is essential and a unique way of providing food to infants for development and healthy growth. Various breastfeeding practices are followed in different regions of India. Objective: This study aims to collect the information for practices related to prelacteal feed, early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and weaning in India. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Clinical key, the Cochrane Library, and Science Direct databases to identify studies on practices related to the initiation of early breastfeeding, prelacteal feed, Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practices, and weaning as outcomes. Quality assessment of each study was done by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: Twenty-four studies were included in this systematic review. Seven studies reported an early initiation of breastfeeding within 1-6 hours of birth. Six studies reported various prelacteal foods given to infants, such as tea, boiled water, honey, sugar, jaggery, or glucose with plain water and diluted animal milk. Four studies stated that exclusive breastfeeding was a suboptimal practice, often continued for less than six months for reasons like working mothers (not enough time for breastfeeding), traditional beliefs, and inadequate milk output. Four studies explored the causes of early onset of weaning, and the most common reasons were initiation of supplementary feeding before six months, insufficient breastmilk, and lack of knowledge. Conclusion: Overall, the results of the individual studies indicate that unhealthy breastfeeding practices such as prelacteal feeding, suboptimal exclusive breastfeeding, and early initiation of weaning practices were prevalent and almost the same across India.

Quality of Pea Seeds and Agroecological Condition of Soil When Using Structured Water

The widespread use of water in crop production and agriculture is due to a significant increase in yields during the watering of agricultural crops, as well as the transfer of pesticides and mineral fertilizers to plants and soil by water. One of the ways to improve the quality of water used in crop production is to structure it. An urgent task is to study the effect of structured water delivered to agricultural crops by watering or spraying on the yield, quality of the resulting products and agroecological condition of the soil. Field studies on pea crops were conducted at experimental sites of the Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, laboratory studies were conducted in accredited laboratories for monitoring the quality, safety of feed and raw materials of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine and the testing centre of the Vinnytsia branch of the state institution “Institute of Soil Protection of Ukraine”. When watering peas with structured water, its yield increases by 42.3% compared to the version without water application and by 22.3% compared to the version with watering with plain water. Pea seeds when watered with structured water have a lower content of crude protein by 0.43 %, crude fat – by 0.09%, crude ash – by 0.63%, but a higher content of crude fibre by 0.11% and nitrogen-free extractives – by 0.99% compared to the version without water. The content of humus in the soil, when watered with structured water, was lower than in the version without water by 0.04%, lightly hydrolysed nitrogen – by 8.0%, mobile phosphorus – by 20.0%, exchangeable potassium – by 7.9%, the reaction of the soil solution – by 0.2 pH, hydrolytic acidity – by 21.7%, the concentration of mobile lead – by 18.4%. However, the concentration of mobile cadmium increased by 43.8% and soil moisture – by 4.3%. When comparing the indicators of the agroecological state of the soil, which was watered with structured and plain water, it was found that watering with structured water reduces the content of humus by 0.03%, lightly hydrolysed nitrogen – by 2.3%, mobile phosphorus – by 20%, exchange potassium – by 9.7%, hydrolytic acidity – by 7.7%, the reaction of the soil solution – by 0.3 pH, but increases the content of mobile lead by 10.9%, mobile cadmium – by 25.0% and increases the moisture content in the soil – by 2.7%

Students’ perceptions of school sugar-free, food and exercise environments enhance healthy eating and physical activity

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between students’ perceptions of their school policies and environments (i.e., sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) free policy, plain water drinking, vegetables and fruit eating campaign, outdoor physical activity initiative, and the SH150 program (exercise 150 min/week at school)) and their dietary behaviors and physical activity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary, middle, and high schools in Taiwan. Participants: A nationally representative sample of 2,433 primary school (5th-6th grade) students, 3,212 middle school students, and 2,829 high school students completed the online survey in 2018. Results: Multivariate analysis results showed that after controlling for school level, gender, and age, the students’ perceptions of school sugar-free policies were negatively associated with the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and positively associated with consumption of plain water. Schools’ campaigns promoting the eating of vegetables and fruit were positively associated with students’ consumption of vegetables. In addition, schools’ initiatives promoting outdoor physical activity and the SH150 program were positively associated with students’ engagement in outdoor physical activities and daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Conclusions: Students’ perceptions of healthy school policies and environments promote healthy eating and an increase in physical activity for students.

The antioxidant activity of seaweed salt from Sargassum polycystum in Sprague-Dawley male White rats

Seaweed has many health benefits and has been the potential raw material for making low sodium and high potassium healthy salt. Sargassum polycystum is widely used as a low-sodium functional salt, which has a strong antioxidant capacity. However, it's in vivo potential is unknown. This research was a purpose to determine the antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase enzymes in seaweed salt through in vivo test in Sprague-Dawley rats. To achieve this, salt was produced from S. polycystum flour and distilled water at a ratio of 1:10 and heated at 40°C for 10 minutes, using a water bath. The mixture was stirred using 500 mesh nylon cloth and filter paper, then dried with an oven at 60°C for 30 hours. In vivo research method was then adopted using 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into 5 treatment groups. The analysis used was the treatment of commercial and seaweed salt, Sargassum polycystum, and plain water (aquades) in the test animals with 4 replications, which include each treatment group consisting of 4 Sprague-Dawley rats. Data were analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) from Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. S. polycystum salt had a Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) ratio of 0.38 and NaCl content of 49.05%. The antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase enzymes ranged between 54.09–73.40 U/mL and 0.67 – 0.79 U/mL, respectively. These values indicate that the application of S. polycystum salt is able to balance the antioxidant activity of SOD and catalase. In addition, seaweed salt has the potential to reduce cell damage due to free radicals.

Low Dietary n6/n3 Ratio Attenuates Changes in the NRF 2 Gene Expression, Lipid Peroxidation, and Inflammatory Markers Induced by Fructose Overconsumption in the Rat Abdominal Adipose Tissue

The objective of this study was to examine the benefits of different n6/n3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios on the lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in the adipose tissue of rats fed a high-fructose diet. Male and female rats were divided into four groups: a control group (CON) (n6/n3 ratio ~7), a high-fructose group (HF) (n6/n3 ratio ~7), an N6-HF group (n6/n3 ratio ~50), and the DHA-HF group (n6/n3 ratio ~1, with the addition of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid). The CON group received plain water and the HF group received 15% fructose in their drinking water. Fructose induced an increase in the content of serum triglycerides, serum cholesterol, and HOMA-IR index. Among the fatty acids, elevated proportions of C18:1n9 and C16:1n7, as well as an increase in total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), were found in the adipose tissue of the HF group. Fructose treatment also changed oxidative parameters, including a marked increase in the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Meanwhile, DHA supplementation caused a significant decrease in the serum MDA concentration in comparison with the HF group. In addition, DHA/EPA supplementation attenuated oxidative stress by increasing NRF 2 gene expression. Fructose treatment also significantly decreased the adiponectin level, while DHA supplementation ameliorated it. The changes observed in this trial, including the decrease in the content of DHA and EPA, the decreased EPA/ARA ratio, and the increase in the expression of inflammatory genes, are characteristics of the low-grade inflammation caused by fructose treatment. These changes in the rat adipose tissue could be prevented by dietary intervention consisting of DHA supplementation and a low n6/n3 ratio.

Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among New Zealand children aged 8-12 years: a cross sectional study of sources and associates/correlates of consumption

Background The benefit of reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is widely accepted, but updated and in-depth data on New Zealand (NZ) children’s SSB consumption is lacking. The aims of this study were to describe beverage consumption, focusing on SSBs in primary school age children living in Auckland; to examine the association of selected socio-demographic, home, community and school factors and children’s beverage knowledge/attitudes with regards to beverage consumption; to explore the relationship between SSBs consumption and adiposity in children. Methods A cross-sectional, Auckland-wide survey of 578 school age children (8-12 years) was conducted using questionnaires to collect data on beverage consumption, beverage knowledge/attitudes, and selected socio-demographic and home, community, school factors. Body fat percentage (BF%) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Results Ninety-six percent of children consumed ≥1 serving of SSBs a week; with ≥5 servings reported by 62% of children. Of all SSBs assessed, consumption of ≥1 serving of sugar sweetened milk-based beverages (85%, mainly milk drinks made from powder) was most prevalent, followed by fruit juice (46%) and sugar-containing carbonated drinks (39%, mainly soft/fizzy drinks). Among unsweetened beverages, plain water was reported to be consumed < 2 times a day by 22% of children, and plain milk < 1 serving a day by 53%. Higher consumption of SSBs was associated with socio-economic disadvantage, non-NZ European ethnicities (Māori, Pacific, Asian, others), availability of SSBs in the home, frequent takeaway/convenience shop visits, children’s incorrect perception of adequate SSBs consumption frequency, and higher BF% (females only). School health policy and encouragement of children to consume un-sweetened beverages was not associated with SSBs consumption. Conclusions The consumption of SSBs is prevalent in NZ school age children, with higher consumption rates observed among those from socially disadvantaged areas. This high consumption is associated with higher BF% in females. Multi-contextual interventions to decrease SSBs should target children, and their families/environment, particularly those from socially disadvantaged areas.

DEVELOPMENT OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY RELATIONSHIP OF MICROBIAL CONCRETE USING BACILLUS SUBTILIS BACTERIA

Concrete,a multiscale composite in its natural state, is an absolutely essential element of infrastructure throughout the world. Concrete is able to carry high compressive load but very weak in case of tensile forces, for which steel bars are embedded in the concrete.Again, cracks in concrete are unavoidable. Corrosive elements can go into cracks once theyve formed and consequently deterioration of the structural concrete starts with the corrosion of embedded steel. This leads to the strength reductionand durability curtailment of concrete. So, crack minimization in reinforced concrete is a must for both strength and durability aspect as well as for economic reasons as crack repair is a costly process. The goal of this study is to compare the performance of traditional and bacterial concrete and to find a link between compressive strength and bacterial culture concentration, as well as to determine the optimal bacterial concentration in concrete. 100 mm cubical sizeconcrete specimens were cast and cured for different ages in plain water to study the strength aspect and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) analysis of concrete using Bacillus subtilis bacteria.With different bacterial concentrations of 2.12 x 108 cells/ml, 2.12 x 107 cells/ml, 3.25 x 108 cells/ml, 3.25 x 107 cells/ml, 6.39 x 108 cells/ml, 6.39 x 107 cells/ml, 7.91 x 108 cells/ml and 7.91 x 107 cells/mlconcrete specimens have been studied. From the investigation it is found that concrete specimens containing bacterial species shows better performance than conventional concrete due to calcite precipitation. Among them, concrete specimens of bacterial concentration 6.39 x 108 cells/ml of bacterial water shows better result against strength deterioration and UPV analysis.

Palatable Flavoured Fluids without Carbohydrates and Electrolytes Do Not Enhance Voluntary Fluid Consumption in Male Collegiate Basketball Players in the Heat

Using palatable fluids to enhance drinking in athletes who display insufficient compensatory hydration behaviour may mitigate the risks of hypohydration and performance deficits. However, it is unclear whether flavour can independently enhance fluid consumption. This study examined the effects of a colourless, artificially sweetened flavoured water (FW), without carbohydrates and with negligible amounts of sodium, compared to plain water (W) on fluid consumption in male collegiate basketball players in a practical game setting. Eighteen male basketball players (age 23.1 ± 1.3 years) played a 3v3 basketball small-sided game. The players were randomly assigned to consume either FW or W. Pre-game urine-specific gravity, fluid consumption, body mass, and hedonic taste perceptions were assessed. Basketball performance was analysed through notational analysis. Ratings of perceived exertion and thirst were recorded at pre-, post-game, and at each rest period. Heart rate was recorded throughout the gameplay. Despite significantly higher hedonic ratings for FW than W (6.78 ± 0.83 vs. 5.56 ± 1.33, p = 0.033, d = 1.36), there were no significant differences in fluid consumption (1083 ± 32 mL vs. 1421 ± 403 mL, p = 0.068, d = 0.92). Our result highlighted that using palatable fluids as a strategy to increase fluid consumption during high-intensity gameplay in the heat may not be effective if used without carbohydrates and electrolytes. Practitioners could consider both fluid palatability and composition in establishing a hydration plan for athletes.

Chronic Physical and Vicarious Psychosocial Stress Alter Fentanyl Consumption and Nucleus Accumbens Rho GTPases in Male and Female C57BL/6 Mice

Chronic stress can increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder in vulnerable individuals. Numerous models have been developed to probe the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, however most prior work has been restricted to male rodents, conducted only in rats, or introduces physical injury that can complicate opioid studies. Here we sought to establish how chronic psychosocial stress influences fentanyl consumption in male and female C57BL/6 mice. We used chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), or the modified vicarious chronic witness defeat stress (CWDS), and used social interaction to stratify mice as stress-susceptible or resilient. We then subjected mice to a 15 day fentanyl drinking paradigm in the home cage that consisted of alternating forced and choice periods with increasing fentanyl concentrations. Male mice susceptible to either CWDS or CSDS consumed more fentanyl relative to unstressed mice, and exhibited increased preference for fentanyl. CWDS-susceptible female mice did not differ from unstressed mice during the forced periods, but showed increased preference for fentanyl. We also found decreased expression of nucleus accumbens Rho GTPases in male, but not female mice following stress and fentanyl drinking. We also compare fentanyl drinking behavior in mice that had free access to plain water throughout. Our results indicate that stress-sensitized fentanyl consumption is dependent on both sex and behavioral outcomes to stress.