This study evaluated the growth trajectories of twins from birth to school age, focusing on weight and height z scores of children born in São Paulo. The longitudinal study comprised 188 healthy twins (M = 9.13 years; SD = 2.16). Weight data were obtained from birth records and reassessed at school age, and height at school age. Singleton birth weights and standard growth curves were used as reference points. Overall, the proportion of children with z scores below the median decreased significantly, from 98.3% at birth to 31.4% at school age. At birth, the dispersion of z-scores below the median was significantly greater among monochorionic compared to dichorionic twins (2.051 vs. 1.701), but this difference was no longer observed at school age (1.861 vs. 0.976). In total, 68.8% of the twins showed improved weight development, with no cases of deterioration. While monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs exhibited comparable intertwin birth-weight differences, by school age MZ pairs exhibited more similar weights, whereas DZ pairs showed significantly greater weight discrepancies. For height at school age, mean height z scores were within the expected range for singletons. No significant differences were observed between monochorionic and dichorionic twins, whereas MZ pairs showed smaller within-pair height differences than DZ pairs. These findings suggest that although chorionicity plays an important role during the perinatal period — particularly due to the lower birth weights observed among monochorionic twins — its influence diminishes over time. By school age, weight and height differences are primarily determined by zygosity.

This paper addresses the challenges and preparedness strategies for health care systems in responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies. It emphasizes the critical role of medical centers in pre-incident preparedness, immediate response, and long-term care, focusing on the need for coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal agencies. Key components include specialized training, resource allocation, triage protocols, and the integration of networks like the Radiation Injury Treatment Network and the American Burn Association. This paper highlights the importance of resilience through collaboration, infrastructure planning, and community support to manage mass casualties and mitigate long-term health consequences. It underscores the lessons learned from historical responses and contemporary challenges, advocating for a proactive approach to enhance health care system readiness in the face of catastrophic events.

The Mediterranean and a low carbohydrate diet are two popular dietary approaches recommended for cardiovascular and metabolic health, respectively. This trial will compare the combined effect of these diets to either approach alone for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Males and females (n=222), 30-75 years, with at least three MetS risk factors will be randomised to one of 3 diets: i) Traditional Mediterranean (∼55% of energy carbohydrate [CHO]:15% Protein [Pro]: 30% Fat), ii) Lower Carbohydrate (∼35%CHO:20%Pro:45%Fat), or iii) Lower Carbohydrate Mediterranean (∼35%CHO:20%Pro:45%Fat) diet for 12-weeks. The primary outcome measure is the MetS Severity Z Score (MetS-Z), a composite score of risk factors, sex and ethnicity. MetS-Z will be calculated pre and post intervention using fasted blood samples for plasma triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and glucose, systolic blood pressure, body weight and waist circumference measures. The findings from this trial will offer new insights into the most effective dietary strategy for managing diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Responsive feeding characterised by recognising and appropriately addressing children’s hunger and satiety signals, plays a key role in health. Despite children’s innate ability to self-regulate food intake, caregivers can override these cues, especially in child care settings. The study determined the effects of a 6-month coaching intervention on the responsive feeding environments of child care centres. CELEBRATE Feeding was a 6-month, coaching, pre-post intervention design conducted in eight child care centres across Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada. Child care centres’ feeding environments and educator practices were observed using a modified Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation tool at baseline and follow-up in two rooms per centre (n = 16). Twenty-one responsive feeding components were scored from 0–3 (3 as best practice). The average centre scores were summed for an overall score ranging from 0–63 at each time point. Paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were conducted to assess the impact of the intervention on overall rooms’ and individual responsive feeding components’ scores. There was an increase in scores from baseline (M = 38.16, SD = 6.55) to follow-up (M = 45.75, SD = 5.87), t (15) = 4.91, P < 0.001. All but one score improved, where 3 of the 21 scores were significantly more responsive after the intervention after applying a Bonferroni correction (P < 0.002). The score with the greatest positive change was ‘Educators provide gentle comments or nudges towards feeding’, with a mean difference of 1.33, P < 0.001. The CELEBRATE Feeding coaching intervention was successful in improving responsive feeding practices and environments in child care settings.

Acanthobothrium represents the most species-rich genus of onchoproteocephalidean cestodes, with adults parasitizing the spiral valves of elasmobranch fishes. Between October 2023 and August 2025, Acanthobothrium minus, previously reported from the Algerian coast in Raja asterias (Mediterranean starry ray), was collected from the spiral valve of Raja asterias, and the rough ray, Raja radula. This parasite is characterized by its small body size and reduced number of proglottids. In this study, we examine its host specificity and provide a redescription of A. minus from the type locality and host, and an additional host (R. radula) using light microscopy and molecular approaches. Furthermore, we present, for the first time, molecular and phylogenetic data based on 28S rDNA sequences for this species, along with a detailed morphometric comparison to other CategoryII Acanthobothrium species infecting Rajidae from the Mediterranean. Our phylogenetic results show all Acanthobothrium species 28S sequences from the Mediterannean grouping in the same clade and suggest close affinity with Acanthobothrium coronatum (Category 4). These results support that these taxonomic categories are a useful guide for morphological comparisons but are not correlated with true phylogenetic relationships. Furthermore, the regional grouping of these sequences from relatively distantly related definitive hosts (the shark Scyliorhinus stellaris L. and the skates R. asterias and R. radula) supports evolution of this elasmobranch-Acanthobothrium association in the Mediterranean through host switching due to shared ecological features of the hosts followed by speciation by isolation. However, additional support for this hypothesis would require more in-depth taxonomic representation of available sequence data.

Many parasitic nematodes exhibit a range of behavioural responses to host-associated stimuli, especially chemicals. The infective juveniles (IJs) of specialized insect-infecting nematodes, i.e., entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), can show directed movement (taxis) or other behaviours in response to odorants. However, relatively little is known in terms of IJ responses in the context of increases in non-directed movement (kinesis) resulting from physical contact with host chemicals, or the effects of insect semiochemicals on EPN behaviours. We individually exposed IJs of the EPN Steinernema carpocapsae to solutions representing five different treatments, including those containing the macerated tissues of a suitable insect host (greater wax moth larvae – waxworms) or a semiochemical (1-pentadecene) secreted by various insects. We conducted behavioural observations at six time points over an 8-h period, measuring the total number of movements by each IJ (orthokinesis), along with the occurrence of side-to-side movements (klinokinesis) or head-waving. We found that IJs in the waxworm or 1-pentadecene solutions showed high levels of overall movement, but waxworm-exposed IJs also exhibited the most sinusoidal movement, whereas IJs exposed to 1-pentadecene exhibited far more head-waving than nematodes in the other treatments. These results indicate that S. carpocapsae shows behavioural responses through kinesis when exposed to host chemical cues in an aqueous medium. As our study is only the second report of EPNs responding to an insect semiochemical, this is a promising area for future studies to better understand host-finding strategies by these nematodes, with possible applications for their use in insect biocontrol.

The objective of this study was to develop and validate an educational comic book designed to promote healthy eating among caregivers of young children. The study was conducted in four phases: (1) literature review and script development; (2) creation of the initial version of the comic book, including illustrations, layout and design, and calculation of the Flesch Readability Index (FI); (3) expert validation of the initial version and calculation of the Content Validity Index (CVI); and (4) adaptation of the comic book based on expert suggestions, recalculation of the FI, and pilot testing (CVI) with a lay population. A total of 64 volunteers participated in the validation process, including 14 expert judges and 50 caregivers responsible for feeding children aged 0 to 5 years. Statistical analysis included descriptive measures and inferential testing using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The FI score for the initial version was 85.0%, indicating a reading level classified as “easy to understand.” After expert evaluation, the CVI reached 94%, reflecting high agreement among participants. In the revised version, the FI remained high at 84.7%, reinforcing the “easy to understand” reading level, while the CVI increased to 98% following the pilot test, demonstrating strong consensus among participants. A significant improvement in knowledge regarding healthy eating was observed after reading the comic book (p < 0.05). The comic book was validated for appearance, content and readability, showing a positive impact on caregivers’ knowledge about healthy eating practices. It represents an accessible and effective resource that can be integrated into community-based nutrition education programmes.