Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is common among pregnant women (PW) and has been associated with anaemia and adverse birth outcomes. However, in the Free State Province of South Africa, evidence regarding this is limited. Hence, this cross-sectional study investigated the vitamin A (vitA) intake and status of PW in Bloemfontein and its association with anaemia, iron status and birth outcomes. Blood was taken from 427 PW to assess the status of vitA (retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4)), iron (ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)) and anaemia (Hb). Sociodemographic, HIV, birth outcomes (birthweight and gestational age) and dietary vitA intake data were obtained using a questionnaire in an interview and medical records. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to describe variables and the association between vitA and iron status and birth outcomes. Median vitA intake was 1007 µgRAE/d with 19 % of participants’ intake below the estimated average requirement of 550 µgRAE/d. Median (IQR) RBP4 was 1·51 (0·78) µmol/l. Insufficient vitA status and VAD prevalence were 12·2 % and 1·2 %, respectively. VitA intake was positively associated with RBP4 (β = 0·068; 95 % CI 0·020, 0·116; P = 0·006). RBP4 was positively associated with Hb (β = 0·363; 95 % CI 0·186, 0·539; P < 0·001) and ferritin (β = 0·359; 95 % CI 0·139, 0·579; P = 0·001) but negatively with sTfR (β = −0·125; 95 % CI −0·246, −0·005; P = 0·041). No significant association between plasma RBP4 and birth weight, as well as preterm birth, was observed. There was a low prevalence of VAD in the study population. Nonetheless, the positive association between RBP4 and Hb and ferritin highlights the importance of optimal vitA status in preventing anaemia in pregnancy.

The integration of phenotypic, genomic and pedigree data into a single-step model for predicting genomically enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBVs) has become crucial for the accurate genetic evaluation of dairy cattle. This study compared two widely used software implementations, MiXBLUP and BLUPF90IOD3, for the prediction of breeding values using the single-step G-BLUP model based on data from the Polish national evaluation for stature. Four core animal sets were tested, which differed in the selection of bulls and cows. The GEBVs were predicted and validated using different subsets of the population. Both software packages resulted in high correlations (0.89 and 0.97) between full and truncated dataset predictions and similar validation performance, with MiXBLUP exhibiting slightly greater consistency across different sets of core animals. The ranking of the top 50 bulls remained stable across the implementations. This study concludes that both software implementations provide comparable GEBV predictions, suggesting that software choice should consider computational efficiency, cost and modeling flexibility, with MiXBLUP offering additional options for GEBV estimation.

This study investigated changes in serum folate and B12, and associations with endurance performance and bone outcomes, in women during military training. Women (n 137) had serum folate and B12, haematological markers and endurance performance (2·4 km run) measured at the start (week 1) and end (week 13) of British Army basic training. Whole-body areal bone mineral density and markers of bone metabolism were measured at week 1. Training decreased serum folate (mean change (95 % CI), −2·3 (−3·0, −1·6) nmol ∙ l−1, P < 0·001), B12 (−16 (−32, 0) pmol ∙ l−1, P = 0·042), Hb (−0·7 (−0·9, −0·5) g ∙ dl−1, P < 0·001) and erythrocyte count (−0·2 (−0·3, −0·2) × 10^9 ∙ l−1, P < 0·001), but had no effect on mean corpuscular volume (P = 0·438) or erythrocyte distribution width (P = 0·088). There was no association between serum folate, serum B12, Hb or erythrocyte count with run time (P ≥ 0·518). Serum B12 was not associated with areal bone mineral density or bone metabolism at week 1 (P ≥ 0·152). Higher serum folate was associated with lower plasma c-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen (standardised β (95 % CI) = −0·31 (−0·48, −0·15), P < 0·001), but not whole-body bone mineral density or plasma procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P ≥ 0·152). Serum folate and B12 decreased after military training in women, resulting in a high prevalence of folate deficiencies at the end of training. Low serum folate may contribute to increased bone resorption, the implications of which are unclear.

The aim of the experiment reported in this research paper was to determine the influence of the bovine appeasing substance (BAS) on milk yield, energy metabolism, inflammation, and stress in cows during the transition period. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows (day 28 pre-partum to 21 postpartum) were distributed randomly into two groups: control (n = 12) and BAS (Secure Cattle®; n = 12). Each animal was administered 5 mL of the product on days 28 and 14 pre-partum and on the day of calving. The feed intake was assessed using automated, individual feeders and the milk yield was determined electronically. Six milk samples were obtained from each animal, which were analyzed for chemical composition and somatic cell count. Six blood samples were obtained per animal for future biochemical analyses (free fatty acids, beta hydroxybutyrate, cortisol, myeloperoxidase and paraoxonase 1). The statistical analyses were conducted with the JMP Pro 14 software, with P ≤ 0.05 being considered as statistical significance. BAS-treated cows showed higher milk yield than controls. Dry matter intake (DMI) during the pre- and postpartum periods was greater for the control than treated group. The BAS group exhibited reduced plasma cortisol postpartum. In conclusion, cows treated with BAS showed higher milk yield, lower DMI, and reduced plasma cortisol concentrations than controls.

Previous estimations of the associations between fruits and vegetables (F/V) intake with diabetes markers showed mixed results, possibly partly because of the subjective assessment of dietary intake. We aimed to examine the relationship between plasma carotenoids and α-tocopherol (as objective markers of F/V intake) and fasting glucose. This was a population-based cross-sectional study in 592 adults in Cameroon. Self-reported F/V intake was assessed using the WHO STEPS questionnaire, and the biomarkers were analysed by HPLC. The mean age of participants was 38·5 (sd 8·6) years (63·7 % women). The median (IQR) number of times participants self-reported consuming fruits in a typical week was 2(1–5) and vegetables was 4(2–7) times/week. Plasma total carotenoids was positively correlated with self-reported intake of fruits (r = 0·13) and vegetables (r = 0·29), both P-values < 0·01. In unadjusted analysis, the difference in fasting glucose comparing the highest against the lowest tertile of the biomarkers concentrations was −0·28 (95 % CI −0·56, −0·001) mmol/l for total carotenoids and −0·31 (–0·59, −0·03) mmol/l for plasma α-carotene. The associations became stronger after adjusting for sociodemographics, lifesyle factors and cholesterol (–0·36 (–0·73, −0·002) mmol/l for total carotenoids and −0·41 (–0·79, −0·03) mmol/l for α-carotene). There was no evidence of an association between α-tocopherol and fasting glucose. We showed an inverse association of total carotenoids and α-carotene, objective indicators of F/V intake, with fasting glucose; suggesting that higher F/V intake may be beneficial for diabetes prevention in African populations where F/V intake is low.

Greater consumption of red meat has been linked to a higher risk of mortality and chronic diseases, including diabetes. We aim to examine the associations between total, processed and unprocessed red meat intake and diabetes and to evaluate the substitution effects of other protein sources for red meat on diabetes. This population-based cross-sectional study utilised data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2016. Diabetes was defined as a self-reported diagnosis by a physician or other health professional, having a fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher, an HbA1c level of 6·5 % or higher, or the use of antidiabetic drugs. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. The study included 34 737 adult participants (mean (sd) age of 45·8 (17·5) years) from NHANES 2003–2016. After adjusting for major confounders, compared with the first quintile, higher intakes of total, processed and unprocessed red meat were positively associated with higher odds of diabetes, with adjusted OR of 1·49 (95 % CI 1·22, 1·81), 1·47 (95 % CI 1·17, 1·84) and 1·24 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·44), respectively. The corresponding P-trend values were (< 0.001, 0.001, and 0.006). In this nationally representative sample of US adults, participants in the highest quintiles of total, processed and unprocessed red meat intake had higher odds of diabetes than those in the lowest quintile. Substituting 1 serving/d of dietary protein from foods of plant origin (including nuts, seeds, legumes and soya) for total, processed or unprocessed red meat was associated with 9 % to 14 % lower odds of diabetes.

Limited evidence exists on the combined effects of lifestyle factors on breast cancer (BC) risk, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations and BC risk among Moroccan women. We conducted a large case–control study including 1,400 cases and 1,400 matched controls (by age and place of residence) between 2019 and 2023. A structured general questionnaire and a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire were used for data collection. Adherence to cancer prevention recommendations was assessed using a score ranging from 0 to 7, comprising seven components covering dietary patterns, physical activity, healthy weight, and breastfeeding. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate OR and 95 % CI, accounting for potential confounding variables. For each one-point increase in the WCRF/AICR adherence score, the odds of BC decreased by 67 % overall (OR = 0·33; 95 % CI: 0·29–0·37). This inverse association was consistent among both premenopausal women (OR = 0·29; 95 % CI: 0·24–0·35) and postmenopausal women (OR = 0·35; 95 % CI: 0·30–0·41). Analysis of individual recommendations indicated that physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, breastfeeding, consuming a plant-rich diet, and limiting the intake of fast and other processed foods were the main drivers of the observed inverse association with BC. In conclusion, greater adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in Morocco. Prevention strategies should incorporate comprehensive interventions targeting multiple lifestyle factors.

Grip strength is a simple and practical method for evaluating overall muscle strength and a key health biomarker that is linked to sarcopenia, chronic conditions and overall mortality. Although protein intake plays a vital role in muscle protein synthesis, its association with grip strength in adults remains unclear. This study examined the cross-sectional relationship between total, animal and plant protein intake and grip strength among local government workers in Japan. Participants were 349 workers (175 men and 174 women; mean age, 42·9 years; range, 19–71 years) who received a health check-up and participated in a nutrition and health survey. Protein intake was assessed using a validated self-administered diet history questionnaire. Grip strength was measured with a digital dynamometer. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted means of grip strength according to the tertile of protein intake. Higher animal protein intake was significantly associated with higher grip strength in women, but not in men. After adjustment for covariates including lifestyle and dietary factors, mean (95 % CI) grip strength for the lowest through highest tertile of animal protein intake was 24·6 (21·7, 27·5) kg, 25·8 (22·9, 28·7) kg and 26·8 (23·7, 29·9) kg (Pfor trend = 0·015) in women. No association was found between total and plant protein intake and grip strength in either men or women. These findings suggest that animal protein is important for muscle strength in women, with potential sex differences in the relationship between protein intake and grip strength.

Growing evidence supports early eating to control appetite and energy balance but there are few controlled studies to assess the amount and/or type of breakfast meal. This randomised, within-participant, diet intervention examined the effects of higher-fibre (HF) and higher-protein (HP) breakfasts in adults with overweight/obesity. Nineteen healthy adults consumed two randomised 28-d weight loss (WL) diets, as higher-fibre (HFWL) or higher protein (HPWL), with all food provided. Both WL diets were designed as 45 %, 35 % and 20 % of calories to be consumed in the morning, afternoon and evening, respectively. The primary outcome was energy balance, analysed by body weight changes. The secondary outcomes were gut health (assessed by changes in faecal microbiota composition and microbial metabolite concentrations) and subjective appetite assessed with visual analogue scales. There was a diet effect on WL, with mean loss of −4·87 kg and −3·87 kg for the HFWL and HPWL diets, respectively (P = 0·002). The HPWL diet was superior to the HFWL diet for suppressing subjective appetite (P = 0·003). The faecal microbiota analysis showed beneficial groups of bacteria, including bifidobacteria, and the butyrate producers Faecalibacterium and Roseburia, were significantly increased in proportional abundance on the HFWL diet. Breakfast composition has an important role in influencing subjective appetite with the HP diet promoting greater feelings of satiety. The proportional abundance of putatively beneficial groups of gut microbiota was markedly higher on the fibre-enriched diet, which may be preferable for gut health.