Nutrition Research and Practice最新文献

{"title":"<i>Cistanche deserticola</i> polysaccharide alleviates spinal cord injury in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.","authors":"Chengzhe Zhang, Juexin Shen, Hui Lian, Baohua Shi, Haitao Gong, Wanxin Liu, Yanting Shao, Zirui Ren, Dong Zhang","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.525","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.525","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe trauma in the central nervous system (CNS) that not only affects human health but also imposes a significant burden on families. Several herbal extracts have been ascertained to regulate SCI progression. <i>Cistanche deserticola</i> polysaccharide (CDP), extracted from <i>C. deserticola</i>, exhibits beneficial effects in a variety of diseases. However, the regulatory roles and associated pathways of CDP in the SCI progression remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Materials/methods: </strong>The SCI animal model was successfully established. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores were determined through locomotion recovery assessment. Histopathological changes in spinal cord tissues were confirmed through hematoxylin eosin staining, while the number of Nissl bodies in ventral horn of spinal cord was verified through Nissl staining. The levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase were quantified using commercial assay kits. The expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) or nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was evaluated through immunofluorescence assay, and the protein expressions were inspected through western blot analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CDP treatment significantly improved the histopathological damage of spinal cord tissues following SCI. Additionally, CDP alleviated oxidative stress in spinal cord tissue. It also alleviated microglia activation by reducing Iba-1 expression. Mechanistically, CDP triggered the Nrf2 signaling pathway, which in turn suppressed NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation, as proved through rescue assays.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CDP alleviates SCI in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the Nrf2 pathway. This finding suggested that CDP may serve as a promising drug for ameliorating SCI.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"525-536"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340091/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interaction between chronotype and ultra-processed food intake on triglyceride-glucose index in Korean adults.","authors":"Sarang Jeong, Eunjin Jang, Sukyoung Jung, Jinhyun Kim, Minjeong Jeong, Dahye Han, Sohyun Park","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.591","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.591","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Chronotype and ultra-processed food (UPF) intake are individually associated with metabolic risk, but their combined effect remains unclear. This study examined the interaction between chronotype and UPF intake in relation to insulin resistance, assessed by the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>Data were obtained from 542 adults in the Gangwon Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (GOMS) Study. Chronotypes were classified into morning, intermediate, and evening types using Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire-based clustering. UPF intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and classified according to the Korean-adapted NOVA classification system. Intake was expressed as a percentage of total energy and divided into quartiles. General linear models were used to examine the interaction between chronotype and UPF intake in relation to the TyG index, with adjustments for relevant covariates. An additional analysis examined the association between TyG quartiles and diabetes prevalence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant interaction between UPF intake and chronotype was observed only in the evening-type group (<i>P</i> = 0.043). In this group, TyG values were significantly higher in Q3 and Q4 compared to Q1 (<i>P</i> = 0.005). The TyG index also varied significantly across chronotypes and UPF intake quartiles (<i>P</i> = 0.005 and <i>P</i> = 0.046, respectively). The odds of diabetes increased across TyG quartiles, with ORs of 3.52 (Q3) and 5.41 (Q4) compared to Q1.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The association between UPF intake and the TyG index varied by chronotype, with evening types showing greater vulnerability. These findings suggest that biological rhythms may modify the metabolic impact of diet, highlighting the need for personalized prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"591-604"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340094/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Yuja peel hot water extract protects against dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR/FoxO3α signaling pathway.","authors":"Se-Hwa Kim, Soo-Young Choi, Hae-In Lee, Mi-Kyung Lee","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.511","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Yuja peel possesses anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. However, its potential anti-sarcopenic effects remain unclear. This study examined the effects of yuja peel hot water extract (YW) on dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes and sarcopenic mouse model.</p><p><strong>Materials/methods: </strong>We measured grip strength, cross-sectional area of the muscle fiber, biochemical markers, and expression of muscle-specific messenger RNA and proteins in atrophied muscle cell/tissue after treatment with YW.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In DEX-treated C2C12 cells, YW (100 and 200 µg/mL) increased the diameter of myotubes and reduced the gene and protein expression of muscle-specific F-box protein (atrogin-1) and muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF-1) compared to the DEX (100 µM). In the mouse model with DEX (10 mg/kg)-induced muscle atrophy, treatment with YW (200 mg/kg/day) significantly increased grip strength and the cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers, whereas it decreased serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase levels compared to the DEX group. Treatment with YW downregulated the proteins related to muscle degradation, such as atrogin-1, MuRF-1, ubiquitin, and growth differentiation factor 8 (myostatin), by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-forkhead box O3 alpha (FoxO3α) pathway. Furthermore, treatment with YW upregulated the proteins associated with muscle protein synthesis, such as myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD1), myogenin (MyoG), and myosin heavy chain (MHC), by regulating the PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. A puromycin labeling assay in C2C12 myotube cells showed that YW treatment significantly increased protein synthesis compared to the cells treated with DEX alone. YW significantly upregulated the protein expression of phosphorylated PI3K and Akt in wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor)-treated C2C12 cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>YW suppressed DEX-induced muscle atrophy by regulating the PI3K-Akt-mTOR/FoxO3α signaling pathway. These results indicate that YW may serve as a potential agent for the treatment or prevention of muscle atrophy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"511-524"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340090/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating food portion estimation accuracy with multi-angle photographs.","authors":"In-Young Choi, Mi-Hyun Kim","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.605","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.605","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the validity of estimating food quantities using photographs taken at different angles to increase the accuracy of dietary intake surveys.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>Eighty-two adults (41 males and 41 females), ranging in age from their 20s to 50s, participated in the study. The participants observed 6 types of food-cooked rice, soup, grilled fish, vegetables, kimchi, and beverages-arranged to simulate an actual meal. After a 3-min observation, they were asked to move to another room and select a photograph that they believed matched the observed food amount. Photographs of each food were taken from 3 different angles (0°, 45°, 70° for solid foods; 45°, 60°, 70° for beverages). The accuracy, underestimation, and overestimation rates were calculated for each type of food and angle.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cooked rice had the highest accuracy at 45° (74.4%) (<i>P</i> < 0.001), which improved to 85.4% when multiple angles were combined. Soup showed lower accuracy across all angles and had higher overestimation rates. The angles for the grilled fish did not show significant differences, but the accuracy slightly improved when the angles were combined. For vegetables, the accuracy increased to 53.7% when the angles were combined (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Kimchi showed the highest accuracy at 45° (52.4%), and beverages showed the highest accuracy at 70° (73.2%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The accuracy of food quantity estimation varies depending on the type of food and the shooting angle. For solid foods, 45° provided the best accuracy, whereas 70° was most accurate for beverages. Combining different angles improved the estimation accuracy for most food types.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"605-620"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340097/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methyl alcohol extract of marine green alga <i>Enteromorpha linza</i> (Linnaeus) J. Agardh. induces reactive oxygen species-dependent growth arrest and apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells.","authors":"Eun Ok Choi, Gi-Young Kim, Hye-Jin Hwang, Yung Hyun Choi","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.497","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.497","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Although seaweed has recently been attracting attention as an important source for the control of numerous diseases including cancer, studies on the anti-cancer activity of the green alga <i>Enteromorpha linza</i> (Linnaeus) J. Agardh. are still insufficient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer activity of the green alga <i>E. linza</i> in human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells.</p><p><strong>Materials/methods: </strong>The effect of methyl alcohol extract of <i>E. linza</i> (MEEL) on cell viability and the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of Hep3B cells was investigated. To evaluate the anti-cancer activity mechanism of MEEL, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected. We also investigated changes in the expression of key regulators of cell cycle and apoptosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results indicated that MEEL-induced inhibition of Hep3B cell proliferation was associated with G1 phase cell cycle arrest, along with the induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21 expression, suppression of cyclin D1 and E expression, and dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB). In addition, MEEL markedly enhanced the complex formation between p21 and Cdk4/6, as well as pRB and the transcription factor E2Fs, respectively. MEEL also induced apoptosis by activation of caspases. Moreover, MEEL interfered with mitochondrial integration by altering the level of Bcl-2 family proteins to increase cytoplasmic release of cytochrome <i>c</i>. Furthermore, MEEL significantly enhanced the generation of ROS, whereas ROS scavenger restored reduced viability by attenuating MEEL-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Collectively, the present findings demonstrate that the antiproliferative efficacy of MEEL in Hep3B cells can be achieved through ROS-dependent pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"497-510"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340100/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gender-specific association of diet with the risk of loss of muscle mass in Korean baby boomers: a prospective population-based cohort analysis.","authors":"Eun-Hee Jang, Seungmin Lee","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.635","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.635","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Our study aimed to investigate the association of food group intake and the quality of diet with the risk of loss of muscle mass in Korean baby boomers using a large-scale national cohort data.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>The study included 1,280 Korean baby boomers (609 men and 671 women) who were born between 1955 and 1963 and who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study from 2001 to 2018. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. The Korean Healthy Eating Index (K-HEI) and the Mediterranean-Type Diet scores helped to evaluate the quality of the diet. Bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and during follow-up visits was used to measure the total muscle mass. Muscle loss was defined as a ≥ 5% decrease in total muscle mass over 2 yrs. This prospective cohort study had a mean follow-up duration of 12.7 yrs. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratio for muscle loss on the basis of the levels of dietary variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In men, high grain intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of muscle loss (<i>P</i> for trend = 0.023). In women, a high intake of dairy products was associated with a reduced risk of muscle loss (<i>P</i> for trend = 0.021). Additionally, higher fruit intake and K-HEI scores were inversely associated with muscle loss when adjusted only for age and total energy intake.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study demonstrates gender-specific associations of diet with the loss of muscle mass in the Korean baby boomers. Although high grain intake may increase the risk of loss of muscle mass in men, high dairy intake may provide protective effects in women. These findings emphasize the need for targeted dietary strategies to prevent age-related muscle loss.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"635-647"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340092/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How food literacy levels shape healthy eating intentions: a cross-sectional study of adults in Shandong Province, China, using the theory of planned behavior.","authors":"Baicai Xu, Ji-Yun Hwang","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.566","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.566","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Dietary choices play a crucial role in individual health, with food literacy being a key factor influencing these choices. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between food literacy and healthy eating intentions among adults in Shandong Province, China.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>Cross-sectional data were collected from 492 adults in Shandong Province, China, between October 2023 and January 2024, using a validated questionnaire that incorporated constructs from the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and food literacy (FL). The FL levels were categorized using the original 4-level classification, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted, controlling for confounders to examine the associations across these levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The scores for the behavioral intentions varied according to sociodemographic factors, such as education levels and physical activity. As the FL levels increased, the scores on all TPB constructs increased significantly, consistently, and linearly (all, <i>P</i> < 0.001, <i>P</i> for trend < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the perceived behavioral control remained a consistent and significant positive predictor of the behavioral intentions across all levels of FL (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Nevertheless, the subjective norms (<i>P</i> < 0.001) were positively associated with healthy eating intentions only among individuals in the lowest rank of FL, whereas the attitudes (<i>P</i> = 0.019) were positively associated with the behavioral intentions only among those in the highest rank.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Individuals with lower FL levels were likelier to have their behavioral intentions influenced by others. In contrast, those with higher FL levels tended to hold more positive attitudes toward the benefits of healthy eating and showed greater willingness to seek detailed dietary information. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted interventions to enhance FL and promote healthy eating intentions among adults in Shandong Province.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"566-576"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340098/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diets with higher inflammatory and insulinemic potential are associated with shorter relative telomere length.","authors":"Bao Zhang, Yong Huang, Xiude Li","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.621","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.4.621","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Telomere length is influenced by inflammation, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia, which can be modulated by dietary factors. Nevertheless, it is still uncertain if diets with greater insulinemic or inflammatory potential are linked to shorter telomere length.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the US. A total of 6,981 individuals were included, with an average age of 46.87 ± 0.36 yrs, and a female-to-male ratio of 1.12:1. Diet was obtained using 24-h recall. Three empirical dietary indices were developed, including the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (EDIP), which identifies foods predictive of inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein and leukocyte count; the Empirical Dietary Index for Insulin Resistance (EDIR), which assesses insulin resistance via homeostatic model assessment; and the Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (EDIH), which relates to hyperinsulinemia indicators including insulin and C-peptide. Relative telomere length (RTL) was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Percentage change (%), odds ratio (OR), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated using linear and ordinal logistic regression, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EDIR (per 1 - SD increase, percentage change = -0.99%, 95% CI, -1.83%, -0.15%, <i>P</i> _trend = 0.022; OR, 1.08, 95% CI, 1.01, 1.16, <i>P</i> _trend = 0.018) and EDIH (percentage change = -1.03%, 95% CI, -1.94%, -0.11%, <i>P</i> _trend = 0.030; OR, 1.07, 95% CI, 1.00, 1.15, <i>P</i> _trend = 0.047) were associated with shorter RTL. EDIP showed a negative association with telomeres in ordinal logistic regression (OR, 1.07, 95% CI, 1.00, 1.15, <i>P</i> _trend = 0.038), and this inverse association was more pronounced among participants with a light or vigorous activity in both regression (<i>P</i> _interaction = 0.003; <i>P</i> _interaction < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Diets high in inflammation or insulinemic potential are associated with shorter RTL. The impact of EDIP is greater in individuals engaged in light or vigorous activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 4","pages":"621-634"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12340096/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144847931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Placental cadmium and its association with maternal diet and offspring growth in Koreans.","authors":"Dahyeon Kim, Cheawon Lee, Yoon Ha Kim, Myeong Gyun Choi, Jong Woon Kim, Clara Yongjoo Park","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.3.473","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.3.473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Cadmium (Cd) can cross the placental barrier and affect fetal development. Dietary exposure is a primary source of Cd intake. However, studies examining the relationships between food intake, placental Cd concentration, and offspring growth remain limited, especially in Asian populations. This study aimed to identify foods and cooking methods that contribute to placental Cd concentration and assess the association between placental Cd concentration and infant growth.</p><p><strong>Subjects/methods: </strong>This study analyzed 72 non-smoking pregnant women and their placentas. Food intake during late pregnancy was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and categorized based on main ingredients and cooking methods. Placental Cd concentration was measured using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Neonatal anthropometrics were obtained from medical records, while 1-yr anthropometrics were collected through interviews.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Placental Cd concentration was not associated with intakes of foods when categorized according to main ingredients; however, positive associations with the intake of boiled and deep-fried foods were observed (β = 0.350 and 0.739, respectively; both <i>P</i> < 0.01). A positive trend was observed between placental Cd concentration and placental efficiency (β: 0.101, <i>P</i> = 0.07), while placental Cd concentration was negatively associated with birth weight and length in female infants (β = -19.55 and -1.358, respectively; <i>P</i> < 0.05). No significant associations were found between p[Cd] and 1-year growth indicators.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Placental Cd concentration may be associated with the consumption of boiled and deep-fried foods during late pregnancy, rather than intake of a certain food group categorized by main ingredient. The observed trend of increased placental efficiency despite lower birth weight and length in female infants suggests that the placenta may function as a barrier to Cd sex-specifically, potentially mitigating its effects on offspring development.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 3","pages":"473-482"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12148622/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144266903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential misclassification of ultra-processed foods across studies and the need for a unified classification system: a scoping review.","authors":"Sukyoung Jung, Jee Young Kim, Sohyun Park, Jung Eun Lee","doi":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.3.331","DOIUrl":"10.4162/nrp.2025.19.3.331","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The lack of a standardized classification system poses challenges for accurately assessing ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in Korea. This scoping review compared the UPF consumption levels reported in Korean studies and analyzed the discrepancies to highlight the need for a unified UPF classification system tailored to Korea. Four online databases were searched to identify studies conducted in Korea. From 147 papers, 20 papers that examined UPFs as the main variables were selected and reviewed. Their consumption levels are reported. Ninety percent of the papers were cross-sectional studies, while 10% were prospective cohort studies. Most studies (72%) measured UPF consumption using the 24-h dietary recall (24HR), while 28% used food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). The most popular topic (65%) was the association between UPF consumption and health outcomes, with obesity-related outcomes being examined most frequently. A wide range of UPF consumption was observed: from 4.9% to 32.8% of total energy intake. The estimates from food-based FFQs were the lowest compared to those from the dish-based FFQs or 24HR. Significant variations in UPF consumption levels were observed across dietary assessment methods, researchers, and data sources. This scoping review highlights the need for an objective and standardized UPF classification system, developed through collaboration among researchers, to minimize the potential misclassification issues when estimating UPF consumption or examining its associations with the health outcomes in Korea. Establishing a \"UPF Working Group\" could serve as an effective starting point for this initiative, and it is expected to attract participation from more researchers interested in UPF studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19232,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition Research and Practice","volume":"19 3","pages":"331-344"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12148626/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144266904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}