Malacostracan crustaceans are very diverse today, but their evolutionary history and biodiversity during the Paleozoic remain understudied. One clade within Malacostraca is Belotelsonidea, crustaceans with a shrimp-like body plan only known from the Carboniferous. We describe the fourth species of this group, Lobetelson feldmanni n. sp., from the Pennsylvanian (Kasimovian) of the Kinney Brick Quarry, New Mexico, USA. The holotype is a flattened, relatively complete specimen with an eye preserved. A second, less well-preserved specimen from the same locality might be referable to the new species. This record represents the youngest record of Belotelsonidea, now ranging from the upper Tournaisian to the Kasimovian, equivalent to ca. 40 Myr. Paleobiogeographically, belotelsonids are only known from Scotland and various parts of the USA thus far, located near the equator to ~20° south during the Carboniferous. Whereas most belotelsonids are thought to have lived in a marine environment, some of the oldest specimens from Scotland are interpreted to have inhabited areas with limited to no marine influence.

UUID: https://zoobank.org/6c52b87d-9259-4b19-85c7-71b425bb6187

Climate change and other anthropogenic stressors are reshaping Earth’s biodiversity, motivating efforts to monitor changing faunal diversity. Canada is home to 80 documented species of mosquitoes, 38 of which are reported in New Brunswick. Using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention miniature CO2 light traps, three adult mosquito collection surveys were performed to encompass 43 trapping sites across New Brunswick, Canada. Study one took place from 21 July 2022 to 9 September 2022, study two took place from 29 May 2023 to 24 October 2023, and study three took place from 15 May 2024 to 19 September 2024. Among the specimens collected, a total of 18 Uranotaenia sapphirina (Osten Sacken) (Diptera: Culicidae) were identified from five separate trapping sites. This species, previously documented only in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, is considered rare in Canada and is known for its specialisation in feeding on annelids rather than vertebrates. Our detection of Ur. sapphirina in New Brunswick, where it has been absent in earlier surveys, suggests a recent range expansion, possibly driven by climate change. This observation highlights the need for ongoing surveillance to monitor the impacts of environmental changes on mosquito distribution.

Personalised nutrition (PN) has emerged as an approach to optimise individual health outcomes through more targeted and tailored dietary recommendations based on unique genetic, phenotypic, medical, lifestyle and contextual factors. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity to achieve personalised nutrition advice at a scale that has population impact. This review introduces a nutrition audience to different AI applications and offers insights into the concepts of AI that might be relevant to the field of nutrition research. The current and future uses of AI in PN are discussed, as well as the potential benefits and challenges to their application. AI-driven solutions have the potential to improve health and reduce the risk of disease because they can consider more information about an individual in making recommendations. However, challenges such as data interoperability, ethical considerations, and model interpretability remain an issue limiting widespread use at this point. This review will provide a foundational understanding of the application of AI within PN and help to identify opportunities to leverage the potential of AI in transforming dietary guidance and enhancing health outcomes through innovative solutions.

Investigating risk factors for mpox’s infectious period is vital for preventing this emerging disease, yet evidence remains scarce. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the duration of mpox infectiousness among mpox cases in Vietnam. The primary outcome was the duration of the mpox infectiousness, defined between symptom onset and the first negative test result for the mpox virus. Fine and Gray’s regression models were employed to assess the associations between the infectious period and several risk factors while accounting for competing risks of death by mpox. Most mpox cases recovered within 30 days. Patients with HIV or treated at multiple facilities for mpox had lower incidence rates of cleared infection compared to those who were HIV-negative or treated at a single facility. In regression models, patients with mpox symptoms of rash or mucosal lesions (sub-distribution hazard ratios = 0.62, 95% confidence interval = 0.46–0.83), ulcers (0.57, 0.41–0.80), or fever (0.62, 0.46–0.83) had significantly prolonged infectious periods than those without such symptoms. Our findings provided insights for managing mpox cases, especially those vulnerable to prolonged infectious periods in settings with sporadic cases reported.

The effects of abomasal infusion of corn starch and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on hindgut microbial fermentation characteristics and end-products in early lactation dairy cows were determined via in vitro gas production (GP). Four substrates, either fibre or starch sources differing in expected rate of degradability (slow – cellulose and corn grain; rapid – beet pulp and pregelatinized corn flour), were incubated with faecal inoculum from cows abomasally infused with water only, 1.5 kg corn starch/d + 0.0 mol BHB/d, 3.0 kg corn starch/d + 0.0 mol BHB/d, 0.0 kg corn starch/d + 8.0 mol BHB/d, 1.5 kg corn starch/d + 8.0 mol BHB/d, or 3.0 kg corn starch/d + 8.0 mol BHB/d in a 6 × 6 Latin square design. In vitro GP was measured using an automated GP system with methane (CH4) measured at specific times. After 72 h, volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH, ammonia, and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of incubation fluid were determined. Infusion of BHB had limited effect on hindgut microbial fermentation. Infusion of 3.0 kg corn starch/d increased GP at 3 h of incubation for all substrates but resulted in lower total GP, CH4 production, pH, ammonia concentration, and IVOMD after 72 h, while increasing total VFA concentration and molar proportions of propionate and butyrate vs. 0.0 and 1.5 kg corn starch/d infusions. Among substrates, IVOMD of cellulose was most affected by 3.0 kg corn starch/d infusion. Results suggest that in vitro fermentative activity of hindgut microbes decreases when higher levels of starch enter the hindgut.

Metabolic imprinting refers to lasting metabolic changes from early-life environmental exposures, especially nutritional, that impact adult health and chronic disease risk. We investigated whether metabolic imprinting by small litter size (SL) activates interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) and affects glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative damage, and insulin resistance (IR) in young rats exposed to a high-sucrose diet (HSD) over eight weeks. Male Wistar rats (n = 48) were assigned to control (eight pups/ dam; CL) and small litter (four pups/ dam; SL) groups. Post-weaning (21 days), they were divided into four dietary groups: (i) standard diet (STD, chow diet) from CL, or (ii) SL; (iii) HSD (30% sucrose) from CL, or (iv) SL, for eight weeks. Afterward, animals were euthanized for analysis of iBAT and serum samples. HSD caused hypertrophy, IR, and oxidative damage in iBAT. However, the SL model attenuated HSD-induced IR by up-regulating p-AKT (Ser 473) and activating iBAT thermogenesis, resulting in decreased PGC1-α expression and up-regulating UCP1 expression, which contributed to iBAT hyperplasia. Additionally, SL reduced PKA activation and free fatty acid (FFA) release, decreasing the lipid oxidative damage observed in HSD-fed iBAT. These findings suggest that SL-induced metabolic imprinting enhances iBAT thermogenesis through p-AKT (Ser 473) and PGC1-α signaling, increases UCP1 expression, and reduces PKA substrates phosphorylation, decreasing FFA levels and oxidative damage following HSD exposure. While our results challenge the existing literature, we propose that the metabolic plasticity from the SL model allows rats to adapt to dietary variations and may protect against HSD-induced IR in adulthood.

The Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been deemed as variants of concern (VOCs) by the WHO due to their increased transmissibility, severity of illness, and resilience against treatments. Geographically tracking the spread of these variants can help us implement effective control measures. RNA from 8,154 SARS-CoV-2 positive nasal swab samples from a Central Texas hospital collected between March 2020 and April 2023 were sequenced in Temple, TX. Global and U.S. sequencing metadata was obtained from the GISAID database on 3 April 2023. Using sequencing metadata, the growth rate of Alpha, Delta, and the first subvariant of Omicron (BA.1) were obtained as 0.27, 0.3, and 1.08 each. The average time in days to penetrate the US for Alpha, Delta, and Omicron were 269.2, 326.2, and 27.3 days, respectively. Viral sequencing data can be a useful tool to examine the spread of viruses. Each emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant penetrated cities more rapidly as the pandemic progressed. With a high logarithmic growth rate, the Omicron variant penetrated the US more rapidly as the pandemic progressed.

Plant-based diets (PBD) have been found to be environmentally sustainable and beneficial for health. Observational research showed that higher plant-based diet quality improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult women, however this is unclear for older adults. This association may be due to anti-inflammatory properties of PBD. Older adults, prone to chronic inflammation, may therefore profit from PBD. We investigated the relation between PBD and HRQoL in older adults of both sexes and tested whether the effects are associated with circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. We used data of the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study (n = 6,635, mean age = 65.2 years) and a subsample in which hsCRP was measured (n = 2,251, mean age = 65.2 years). We applied a plant-based diet index measuring adherence to a healthful (hPDI) and an unhealthful (uPDI) plant-based diet based on food frequency questionnaires. The RAND-36 questionnaire was applied as measure of HRQoL, from which we derived physical and mental HRQoL. Older adults with the highest adherence to a hPDI had respectively 15% and 12% greater odds for high physical quality of life and mental quality of life. Meanwhile, higher adherence to uPDI was associated with respectively 16% and 13% lower odds for high physical and mental quality of life. An additive but no interactive effect of hsCRP on the association between PBD and HRQoL has been observed. Adherence to a healthful plant-based diet and circulating levels of inflammation are independently associated with physical and mental HRQoL. Mechanisms other than inflammation through which PBD could influence HRQoL may be explored in further research.

The early stage of seedling establishment is critical to successful ecological restoration and reforestation, and it is partially influenced by herbivory. Aerial vertebrate predators, including birds and bats, can affect plant growth by controlling phytophagous insects. This study explored the effects of excluding birds and bats on the arthropod community during the initial stages of reforestation plots planted with Dipterocarpus alatus in deciduous dipterocarp forest using an exclusion experiment. We hypothesized that birds and bats negatively affect the density and biomass of large-sized arthropods (≥ 1 cm), which are their potential prey, and that excluding these predators may affect seedling growth and leaf damage. The density and biomass of large arthropods significantly increased in the permanent exclosures compared to the control group. No significant difference between the nocturnal and diurnal exclosures was observed. Top-down effects on the biomass of large-sized phytophagous and predatory arthropods were pronounced during the dry season, coinciding with the presence of migratory insectivorous birds. Mesopredator release primarily driven by ants compensated for the absence of birds and bats, preventing immediate increases in herbivory or impacts on seedling growth. These findings highlight the importance of ecological redundancy among predator communities in maintaining herbivory control. Promoting diverse habitats that support both invertebrate and vertebrate predators may enhance the long-term resilience and effectiveness of pest control in ecological restoration efforts.

The NOVA food classification system and its categorisation of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have significantly influenced dietary guidelines worldwide, yet the assumption that all UPFs are uniformly harmful warrants critical examination. Here, a review of evidence revealed substantial heterogeneity in health outcomes across UPF subtypes, with products like sugar-sweetened beverages consistently associated with adverse outcomes while fortified cereals and certain dairy products demonstrate neutral or protective effects. The binary nature of NOVA’s classification fails to account for nutritional composition, fortification benefits, and cultural food traditions, creating inconsistencies in categorisation across different contexts. Methodological limitations in UPF research include inadequate dietary assessment tools, selective reporting of negative findings, and experimental design flaws that conflate processing with other dietary factors. Implementation challenges extend to socioeconomic accessibility, as UPFs often provide cost-effective nutrients for disadvantaged populations and environmental sustainability, where wholesale reduction could increase resource demands. Future directions should develop more nuanced classification systems that integrate processing methods with nutritional quality to better inform public health strategies rather than categorically rejecting all UPFs.

The Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 (NNR2023) serve as the scientific foundation for national dietary guidelines and nutrient recommendations across the Nordic and Baltic countries. We reviewed how NNR2023 was adapted into national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) in the Nordic countries and Estonia, focusing specifically on sustainability considerations and policy implications. National FBDG integrated both health and environmental aspects in all countries, except Norway, which addressed environmental aspects only in a separate report. Health impacts served as the primary principle in all countries. Additionally, national policy perspectives, such as domestic food security, were addressed in some countries, while the integration of social and economic sustainability remained very limited. In adopting NNR2023, all countries modelled how implementation would affect nutrient adequacy or health within their food environments, making minor adjustments based on these findings. Guidelines for animal source food groups showed the most variation between countries; Estonia and Denmark established the strictest recommended limits for red meat and total meat, respectively, while Norway was most liberal regarding milk products. Stakeholders participated in the consultation process. The agricultural sector and meat industry primarily maintained pro-meat discourse, which was particularly intense in Norway and Sweden. Transition towards healthy and sustainable diets demands multiple policy instruments – FBDG being just one – alongside a supportive environment and participation from all food system actors.

Clinical and preclinical data about perinatal inflammation show its implication in brain injuries leading to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For instance, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) chorioamnionitis generates autistic manifestations in the progeny. However, the precise way(s) how chorioamnionitis exerts its noxious effect on the central nervous system remains to be define. The pathogen-induced inflammatory response effects on the permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB) have been documented in the mature brain. No study deals with the effect of GBS-induced chorioamnionitis, on the fetal BBB, even though it is one of the most common infection affecting the fetal environment. Given that dysfunctions of several key cells and molecules from the BBB seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD from genetic and/or environmental origins, we hypothesized that pathogen-induced chorioamnionitis affects structurally and functionally the BBB. We used a well-established preclinical model of GBS chorioamnionitis leading to ASD phenotype in male offspring. We document a significant decrease of albumin permeability of the BBB in the white and gray matters of fetuses exposed versus unexposed to GBS chorioamnionitis. In line with this result, a significant increase in the expression of claudin-5 – component of tight junctions of the BBB – is detected in endothelial cells from BBB exposed to chorioamnionitis. Altogether, our results show that beyond genetic determinants, environmental factors such as bacterial infections affect the integrity of the BBB and might be involved in the fetal programming of ASD.

An adverse in utero experience negatively impacts perinatal growth in livestock. Maternal heat stress (HS) during gestation reduces placental growth and function. This progressive placental insufficiency ultimately leads to fetal growth restriction (FGR). Studies in chronically catheterized fetal sheep have shown that FGR fetuses exhibit hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, and lower anabolic hormone concentrations. Under hypoxic stress and nutrient deficiency, fetuses prioritize basal metabolic requirements over tissue accretion to support survival. Skeletal muscle is particularly vulnerable to HS-induced placental insufficiency due to its high energy demands and large contribution to total body mass. In FGR fetuses, skeletal muscle growth is reduced, evidenced by smaller myofiber size and mass, reduced satellite cell proliferation, and slower rate of protein synthesis. Disruptions in skeletal muscle growth are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including reduced pyruvate flux into the mitochondrial matrix and lower complex I activity in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This review summarizes current research on the mechanisms by which HS-induced placental insufficiency affects skeletal muscle growth in the fetus, with an emphasis on myogenesis, hypertrophy, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. The evidence presented is primarily drawn from experiments using chronically catheterized fetal sheep exposed to maternal HS during mid-gestation. Additionally, we explore emerging nutritional strategies aimed at enhancing skeletal muscle growth in animals with FGR. These strategies hold promise not only for improving reproductive efficiency in livestock affected by prenatal stress but also for their translational relevance to human pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency.