Se deficiency causes impaired growth of fish skeletal muscle due to the retarded hypertrophy of muscle fibres. However, the inner mechanisms remain unclear. According to our previous researches, we infer this phenomenon is associated with Se deficiency-induced high concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could suppress the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway-mediated protein synthesis by inhibiting protein kinase B (Akt), an upstream protein of TORC1. To test this hypothesis, juvenile zebrafish (45 d post-fertilisation) were fed a basal Se-adequate diet or a basal Se-deficient diet or them supplemented with an antioxidant (DL-α-tocopherol acetate, designed as VE) or a TOR activator (MHY1485) for 30 d. Zebrafish fed Se-deficient diets exhibited a clear Se-deficient status in skeletal muscle, which was not influenced by dietary VE and MHY1485. Se deficiency significantly elevated ROS concentrations, inhibited Akt activity and TORC1 pathway, suppressed protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, and impaired hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibres. However, these negative effects of Se deficiency were partly (except that on ROS concentration) alleviated by dietary MHY1485 and completely alleviated by dietary VE. These data strongly support our speculation that Se deficiency-induced high concentration of ROS exerts a clear inhibiting effect on TORC1 pathway-mediated protein synthesis by regulating Akt activity, thereby restricting the hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibres in fish. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for Se deficiency-caused retardation of fish skeletal muscle growth, contributing to a better understanding of the nutritional necessity and regulatory mechanisms of Se in fish muscle physiology.

Previously, we provided an evidence that l-Leucine supplementation facilitates growth performance in suckling piglets with normal birth weight. However, it remains hitherto obscure weather breast-fed piglets displaying intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) show a similar effect in response to l-Leucine provision. In this study, 7-d-old sow-reared IUGR piglets were orally administrated with l-Leucine (0, 0·7, 1·4 or 2·1 g/kg BW) twice daily for 2 weeks. Increasing leucine levels hampered the growth performance of suckling IUGR piglets. The average daily gain of IUGR piglets was significantly reduced in 1·4 g/kg BW and 2·1 g/kg BW l-Leucine supplementation groups (P < 0·05). Except for ornithine and glutamine, the plasma concentrations of other amino acids were abated as l-Leucine levels increased (P < 0·05). Leucine supplementation led to reduction in the levels of urea, blood ammonia, blood glucose, TAG and total cholesterol, as well as an elevation in the level of LDL-cholesterol in suckling IUGR piglets (P < 0·05). In addition, 1·4 g/kg BW of l-Leucine enhanced the mRNA expression of ATB 0,+, whereas decreased the mRNA abundances of CAT1, y + LAT1, ASCT2 and b 0,+AT in the jejunum (P < 0·05). Concomitantly, the jejunum of IUGR piglets in l-Leucine group contains more ATB0,+ and less SNAT2 protein than in the control (P < 0·05). Collectively, l-Leucine supplementation impairs growth performance in breast-fed IUGR piglets, which may be associated with depressed nutritional conditions and alterations in the uptake of amino acids and the expression of amino acid transporters in the small intestine.

We aimed to investigate the association of metabolic obesity phenotypes with all-cause mortality risk in a rural Chinese population. This prospective cohort study enrolled 15 704 Chinese adults (38·86 % men) with a median age of 51·00 (interquartile range: 41·00–60·00) at baseline (2007–2008) and followed up during 2013–2014. Obesity was defined by waist circumference (WC: ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women) or waist-to-height ratio (WHtR: ≥ 0·5). The hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % CI for the risk of all-cause mortality related to metabolic obesity phenotypes were calculated using the Cox hazards regression model. During a median follow-up of 6·01 years, 864 deaths were identified. When obesity was defined by WC, the prevalence of participants with metabolically healthy non-obesity (MHNO), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUNO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) at baseline was 12·12 %, 2·80 %, 41·93 % and 43·15 %, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, alcohol drinking, smoking, physical activity and education, the risk of all-cause mortality was higher with both MUNO (HR = 1·20, 95 % CI 1·14, 1·26) and MUO (HR = 1·20, 95 % CI 1·13, 1·27) v. MHNO, but the risk was not statistically significant with MHO (HR = 0·99, 95 % CI 0·89, 1·10). This result remained consistent when stratified by sex. Defining obesity by WHtR gave similar results. MHO does not suggest a greater risk of all-cause mortality compared to MHNO, but participants with metabolic abnormality, with or without obesity, have a higher risk of all-cause mortality. These results should be cautiously interpreted as the representation of MHO is small.

Early life nutrition fundamentally influences neonatal development and health. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are key components of breast milk but not standard infant formula that support the establishment of the newborn gut microbiota. Using an artificial rearing system, our objective was to test the effect of two HMO on the whole body and organ growth, adiposity, glucose tolerance and faecal microbiota in young rat pups. From postnatal days 4 to 21, Sprague–Dawley rats were randomised to receive one of: (1) CTR (rat milk substitute); (2) 2′FL (CTR + 1·2 g/l 2′-fucosyllactose); (3) 3′SL (CTR + 1·2 g/l 3′-sialyllactose) and (4) 2′FL + 3′SL (CTR + 0·6 g/l 2′-FL + 0·6 g/l 3′-SL). Body weight (BW), bowel movements and food intake were monitored daily, faecal samples collected each week and oral glucose tolerance, body composition and organ weight measured at weaning. No significant differences were observed between groups in growth performance, body composition, organ weight and abundance of dominant faecal microbes. A decreased relative abundance of genus Proteus in week 1 faecal samples and Terrisporobacter in week 3 faecal samples (P < 0·05) was suggestive of a potential pathogen inhibitory effect of 3′SL. Longitudinal changes in the faecal microbiota of artificially reared suckling rats were primarily governed by age (P = 0·001) and not affected by the presence of 2′-FL and/or 3′-SL in rat milk substitutes (P = 0·479). Considering the known protective effects of HMO, further investigation of supplementation with these and other HMO in models of premature birth, extremely low BW or malnutrition may show more pronounced outcomes.

Eating frequency has been associated with nutrient intake and diet quality. The aim of this study was to examine the association between daily nutrient and food group intake and consumption of breakfast and/or snacks among young Japanese adults, as secondary analysis of the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan involved 1420 men and 1659 women aged 20–39 years. Dietary intake data were collected using a one-day semi-weighed household dietary record. Participants were classified into four groups based their breakfast and snack consumption, defined as the consumption of any food or beverage that contained energy based on participant-defined eating occasions; both breakfast and snack consumption (B+S+), breakfast consumption without snacking (B+S–), breakfast skipping and snack consumption (B–S+) and breakfast skipping without snacking (B–S–). The proportion of breakfast skippers among men and women was 11·8 % and 6·6 %, whereas that of snack consumers among men and women was 55·3 % and 68·2 %, respectively. Energy, Mg potassium (in both sexes), vitamin B2, Ca, (only men) and folate and dietary fibre (only women) intakes were higher among breakfast and snack consumers than in the B+S– group. The nutrient intake level of the B+S– group was similar to that of the B–S+ group, whereas the B–S– group had lower energy (both sexes), Cu, dietary fibre and potassium (only women) intakes than the B+S– group. Snack consumption could supplement nutrients that may not be adequately consumed by three meals among young Japanese adults.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between legume intake and blood pressure, as well as the mediating role of cardiometabolic risk factors in patients in secondary cardiovascular prevention. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, clinical and food intake data were collected from the baseline of the multicentre study Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial – BALANCE (RCT: NCT01620398). The relationships between variables were explored through path analysis. In total, 2247 individuals with a median age of 63·0 (45–91) years, 58·8 % (n 1321) male and 96·5 % (n 2168) with diagnosis of hypertension were included. Negative associations were observed between histidine intake and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (standardised coefficient (SC) = −0·057; P = 0·012) and between legume intake and BMI (SC = −0·061; P = 0·006). BMI was positively associated with triglycerides–glucose (TyG) index (SC = 0·173; P < 0·001), SBP (SC = 0·144; P < 0·001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (SC = 0·177; P < 0·001), and TyG index was positively associated with DBP (SC = 0·079; P = 0·001). A negative indirect effect was observed between the intake of legumes, SBP and DBP, mediated by BMI (SC = −0·009; P = 0·011; SC = −0·011; P = 0·010, respectively). In addition, an indirect negative effect was found between the intake of legumes and the DBP, mediated simultaneously by BMI and TyG index (SC = −0·001; P = 0·037). In conclusion, legume intake presented a negative indirect association with blood pressure, mediated by insulin resistance (TyG) and adiposity (BMI) in individuals of secondary care in cardiology.

Vitamin D deficiency in infants is widely prevalent. Most paediatric professional associations recommend routine vitamin D prophylaxis for infants. However, the optimal dose and duration of supplementation are still debated. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different vitamin D supplementation regimens in term and late preterm neonates. For this systematic review and network meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase. Randomised and quasi-randomised clinical trials that evaluated any enteral vitamin D supplementation regimen initiated within 6 weeks of life were included. Two researchers independently extracted data on study characteristics and outcomes and assessed quality of included studies. A network meta-analysis with a Bayesian random-effects model was used for data synthesis. Certainty of evidence (CoE) was assessed using GRADE. Primary outcomes were mean serum vitamin D concentrations and the proportion of infants with vitamin D insufficiency (VDI). We included twenty-nine trials that evaluated fourteen different regimens of vitamin D supplementation. While all dosage regimens of ≥400 IU/d increased the mean 25(OH)D levels compared with no treatment, supplementation of ≤250 IU/d and 1400 IU/week did not. The CoE varied from very low to high. Low CoE indicated that 1600 IU/d, compared with lower dosages, reduced the proportion of infants with VDI. However, our results indicated that any dosage of ≥800 IU/d increased the risk of hypervitaminosis D and hypercalcaemia. Data on major clinical outcomes were sparse. Vitamin D supplementation of 400–600 IU/d may be the most effective and safest in infants.

There are currently no universal evidence-based nutrition guidelines that address the gluten-free (GF) diet for children/youth (4–18 years). A GF food guide was created to help children/youth with coeliac disease (CD) and their families navigate the complexities of following a GF diet. Guide formation was based on pre-guide stakeholder consultations and an evaluation of nutrient intake and dietary patterns. The study objective was to conduct an evaluation on guide content, layout, feasibility and dissemination strategies from end-stakeholder users (children/youth with CD, parents/caregivers and health care professionals). This is a cross-sectional study using a multi-method approach of virtual focus groups and an online survey to conduct stakeholder evaluations. Stakeholders included children/youth (4–18 years), their parents/caregivers in the coeliac community (n 273) and health care professionals (n 80) with both paediatric and CD experience from across Canada. Thematic analysis was performed on focus group responses and open-ended survey questions until thematic saturation was achieved. χ2 and Fisher’s exact statistical analyses were performed on demographic and close-ended survey questions. Stakeholders positively perceived the guide for content, layout, feasibility, ethnicity and usability. Stakeholders found the material visually appealing and engaging with belief that it could effectively be used in multi-ethnic community and clinical-based settings. Guide revisions were made in response to stakeholder consultations to improve food selection (e.g. child-friendly foods), language (e.g. clarity) and layout (e.g. organisation). The evaluation by end-stakeholders provided practical and patient-focused feedback on the guide to enable successful uptake in community and clinical-based settings.

Female crabs enter a stage of rapid ovarian development after mating, and cholesterol is a substrate for steroid hormone synthesis. Therefore, in this experiment, an 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of mating treatments (mated crab and unmated crab) and three dietary cholesterol levels (0·09 %, 0·79 % and 1·40 %) on ovarian development, cholesterol metabolism and steroid hormones metabolism of adult female swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus). The results indicated that crabs fed the diet with 0·79 % cholesterol significantly increased gonadosomatic index (GSI) and vitellogenin (VTG) content than other treatments in the same mating status. Moreover, mated crabs had markedly increased GSI and VTG content in the ovary and hepatopancreas than unmated crabs. The histological observation found that exogenous vitellogenic oocytes appeared in the mated crabs, while previtellogenic oocytes and endogenous vitellogenic oocytes were the primary oocytes in unmated crabs. The transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that when fed diet with 0·79 % cholesterol, the unmated crabs contained more rough endoplasmic reticulum and mated crabs had higher yolk content than other treatments. Furthermore, mating treatment and dietary 0·79 % cholesterol level both promoted cholesterol deposition by up-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression levels of class B scavenger receptors 1 (Srb1), while stimulating the secretion of steroid hormones by up-regulation of the mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star). Overall, the present results indicated that mating behaviour plays a leading role in promoting ovarian development, and dietary 0·79 % cholesterol level can further promote ovarian development after mating.

It is difficult to easily estimate skeletal muscle (SM) volume in children. We aimed to develop regression-based prediction equations to estimate the total body and regional SM volume using calliper measurements of skinfold thickness and limb circumference and to investigate the validity of these equations. In total, 142 healthy, prepubertal, Japanese children, aged 6–12 years, were divided into two groups: the model development group (sixty boys, thirty-eight girls) and the validation group (twenty-six boys, eighteen girls). Contiguous magnetic resonance images were obtained from the first cervical vertebra to the ankle joints as reference data. SM volume was calculated from the summation of the digitised cross-sectional areas. Limb and waist circumferences were measured at mid-upper arm, mid-thigh, maximal calf and at the level of umbilicus. Each girth was corrected for subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, as estimated by skinfold thickness measurements. Skinfold thickness was measured at the posterior upper arm, anterior thigh, medial calf and lateral to the umbilicus, using callipers. Significant correlations were observed between the site-matched SM volume, measured by MRI, and each corrected girth × standing height value in the model development group. When these SM volume prediction equations were applied to the validation group, the measured total body and regional SM volume were similar to the predicted values. These results suggest that the anthropometric prediction equations developed in this study provide reliable information about the total and regional SM volume in prepubertal Japanese children, with varying degrees of estimation accuracy for each region.

1. The effect of addition of a mixture of two non-essential amino acids (NEA), namely alanine and glutamic acid, to milk proteins on nitrogen retention and the biological value of the proteins was determined in a group of six girls aged 10–11 years.

2. The mean daily intakes of milk protein by the children on three diets (1, 3 and 5 ) were 1.41, 1.10 and 0.70 g/kg body-weight. The quantities of NEA added daily to the three diets were 0.97, 0.49 and 0.97 g/kg body-weight respectively.

3. Addition of NEA did not bring about any significant increase in N retention in the children. The addition of NEA to milk proteins significantly decreased the biological value of the proteins.

Increasing the availability of lower energy food options is a promising public health approach. However, it is unclear the extent to which availability interventions may result in consumers later ‘compensating’ for reductions in energy intake caused by selecting lower energy food options and to what extent these effects may differ based on socio-economic position (SEP). Our objective was to examine the impact of increasing availability of lower energy meal options on immediate meal energy intake and subsequent energy intake in participants of higher v. lower SEP. In a within-subjects design, seventy-seven UK adults ordered meals from a supermarket ready meal menu with standard (30 %) and increased (70 %) availability of lower energy options. The meals were delivered to be consumed at home, with meal intake measured using the Digital Photography of Foods Method. Post-meal compensation was measured using food diaries to determine self-reported energy intake after the meal and the next day. Participants consumed significantly less energy (196 kcal (820 kJ), 95 % CI 138, 252) from the menu with increased availability of lower energy options v. the standard availability menu (P < 0·001). There was no statistically significant evidence that this reduction in energy intake was substantially compensated for (33 % compensated, P = 0·57). The effects of increasing availability of lower energy food items were similar in participants from lower and higher SEP. Increasing the availability of lower energy food options is likely to be an effective and equitable approach to reducing energy intake which may contribute to improving diet and population health.

An experiment was conducted in the pig to determine the consequences of deprivation of exocrine pancreatic secretion on the composition and quantity of nutrients absorbed after intake of a balanced diet. Five growing pigs (53·8 kg body weight) were fitted with permanent catheters in the portal vein and the carotid artery and with an electromagnetic flow probe around the portal vein to measure the exchanges between the blood and the intestinal lumen. They were also fitted with a permanent catheter in the duct of Wirsung to educe the exocrine pancreatic secretion and another one in the duodenum in order to reintroduce it. In each animal, glucose, amino-N and amino acid absorption as well as insulin and glucagon production were measured over a period of 10 h after the meal (semi-purified diet based on purified starch and containing 180 g fish meal/kg, DM content of the meal 731 g), either in the presence of pancreatic juice (group C : immediate reintroduction), or in the absence of pancreatic juice (group D: deprivation). The deprivation of pancreatic juice provoked a marked depression in the absorption of glucose (D 67·9 (SEM 27·9) g/10 h, C 437·7 (SEM 39·5) g/10 h, P < 0·00l), and of amino-N (D 7·55 (SEM 0·54) g/10 h, C 15·80 (SEM 0·79) g/10 h, P < 0·001). The composition of the mixture of amino acids in the portal blood was only slightly modified: only the levels of histidine (P < 0·05) and of valine (P < 0·06, NS) decreased in the absence of pancreatic juice. Insulin production was much lower (by 64%, P < 0·05) in the absence of pancreatic juice whereas that of glucagon was not affected.