Individual Responses to Repeated Dosing with Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract During High-Intensity Intermittent Treadmill Running in Active Males.

Unlabelled: Intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract for 7 days has been shown to improve high-intensity intermittent running (HIIR) performance.

Objectives: We examined the repeat response of NZBC extract on HIIR performance.

Methods: Sixteen active males (age: 23 ± 3 yrs, height: 179 ± 5 cm, mass: 79 ± 11 kg, V˙O: 55.

Assessment of a Novel Stress and Immune Gene Panel on the Development of Australasian Snapper () Larvae.

Background: Larvae development is a critical step in aquaculture, yet the development of immune and stress responses during this early phase of life is not well understood. Snapper is a species that has been selected as a candidate for aquaculture in New Zealand.

Methods: In this study we explore a set of 18 genes identified as potentially being involved in the stress and immune responses of snapper larvae during the first 30 days of development.

Redox-induced phosphorus release from critical source areas following rainfall events in New Zealand.

Critical source areas (CSAs) can act as a source of phosphorus (P) during intermittent rainfall events and contribute to dissolved P loss via runoff. Dissolved forms of P are readily accessible for plant and algal uptake; hence it is a concern in terms of the eutrophication of freshwater bodies. The potential of CSAs to release dissolved P to surface runoff upon intermittent short-term submergence caused by different rainfall events has not been studied at a field-scale in New Zealand previously.

Survey of foodborne pathogenic Vibrio species in commercial Tasmanian bivalve shellfish and predictors of risk at harvest.

There has been an increase in foodborne vibriosis outbreaks globally, with Vibrio parahaemolyticus emerging as a foodborne issue in temperate commercial shellfish growing regions, including southern Australia. The food safety concerns associated with these microorganisms have led to the need for specific guidance on potential risk management strategies for their control. This is the first Australian multi-seasonal survey of V.

Modeling Vitamin D Fortification Scenarios for the Australian Population.

Background: Low vitamin D status (circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <50 nmol/L) is prevalent in Australia, and 95% of Australians have been estimated to have low vitamin D intake (mean range 1.8-3.2 μg/d).

Pan-phylum genomes of hornworts reveal conserved autosomes but dynamic accessory and sex chromosomes.

Hornworts, one of the three bryophyte phyla, show some of the deepest divergences in extant land plants, with some families separated by more than 300 million years. Previous hornwort genomes represented only one genus, limiting the ability to infer evolution within hornworts and their early land plant ancestors. Here we report ten new chromosome-scale genomes representing all hornwort families and most of the genera.

Novel Insights into Hg Oxidation in Rice Leaf: Catalase Functions and Transcriptome Responses.

Rice leaves can assimilate atmospheric mercury (Hg), which is accumulated by grains and causes health risks to rice consumers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Hg assimilation in rice leaves remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated catalase's (CAT) function in Hg oxidation within rice leaves, as well as the Hg speciation and transcriptomic profiles of rice leaves exposed to Hg.

Legume intakes on cardiometabolic profile and gut microbiome function: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Legumes are widely considered one of the most beneficial food groups to consume. They are high in fibre and plant-based protein as well as naturally low in sodium, saturated fats, and sugars. However, legumes do not feature prominently in the modern diet, and previous evidence syntheses show inconsistent results on cardiometabolic risk profile when increasing legume intakes.

Beverages developed from pseudocereals (quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth): Nutritional and functional properties.

The rising global demand for nutritious, sustainable, and plant-based beverages has catalyzed interest in pseudocereal-based products, offering an innovative alternative to traditional cereals. Pseudocereals such as quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth are valued for their exceptional nutritional profiles, including high-quality proteins, dietary fibers, and bioactive compounds. This review explores the development of pseudocereal-based beverages, emphasizing their potential as milk alternatives, fermented drinks, and beer products.

Decellularized Green and Brown Macroalgae as Cellulose Matrices for Tissue Engineering.

Scaffolds resembling the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide structural support for cells in the engineering of tissue constructs. Various material sources and fabrication techniques have been employed in scaffold production. Cellulose-based matrices are of interest due to their abundant supply, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and biological inertness.

Feed additives for methane mitigation: Recommendations for identification and selection of bioactive compounds to develop antimethanogenic feed additives.

Despite the increasing interest in developing antimethanogenic additives to reduce enteric methane (CH) emissions and the extensive research conducted over the last decades, the global livestock industry has a very limited number of antimethanogenic feed additives (AMFA) available that can deliver substantial reduction, and they have generally not reached the market yet. This work provides technical recommendations and guidelines for conducting tests intended to screen the potential to reduce, directly or indirectly, enteric CH of compounds before they can be further assessed in in vivo conditions. The steps involved in this work cover the discovery, isolation, and identification of compounds capable of affecting CH production by rumen microbes, followed by in vitro laboratory testing of potential candidates.

Effect of Moderate Red Meat Intake Compared With Plant-Based Meat Alternative on Psychological Well-Being: A 10-Wk Cluster Randomized Intervention in Healthy Young Adults.

Background: A healthy diet has been proposed to support good mental health, but the addition of either red meat or meat alternatives is nuanced.

Objectives: We aimed to determine if psychological and physiological well-being is differentially affected by consuming recommended weekly amounts of either lean red meat or plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) supplemented with a plant-rich diet.

Methods: The trial was a parallel 2-arm randomized intervention of 10 wk duration.

Productive, Reproductive, Behavioural, Gene Expression, Histological, and Economic Criteria of Feeding Fenugreek and Berseem Seeds as Alternative Protein Sources in New Zealand White Does Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus).

Feed cost represents about 70% of the total production costs of rabbit farms. There is little research on the usage of Berseem and Fenugreek seeds as substitutes for soybeans in rabbit diets. The current investigation was conducted to assess the influence of dietary inclusion of Fenugreek and/or Berseem seeds at varying levels as a substitute for soybean meal on reproductive performance, milk production, maternal behaviour, economic efficiency, mammary gland and ovarian histology, and relative expression of reproductive genes of New Zealand White rabbit does.

Unique bibenzyl cannabinoids in the liverwort Radula marginata: parallels with Cannabis chemistry.

The potential of cannabinoids to address public health challenges has stimulated exploration into alternative sources and production technologies. Radula marginata, an endemic Aotearoa/New Zealand liverwort, produces the bibenzyl cannabinoid perrottetinene (PET), analogous to Cannabis psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Structural differences between PET and THC could alter therapeutic interactions and mitigate adverse side effects.

Low-pass nanopore sequencing for measurement of global methylation levels in plants.

Nanopore sequencing enables detection of DNA methylation at the same time as identification of canonical sequence. A recent study validated low-pass nanopore sequencing to accurately estimate global methylation levels in vertebrates with sequencing coverage as low as 0.01x.

Mapping rapeseed () aboveground biomass in different periods using optical and phenotypic metrics derived from UAV hyperspectral and RGB imagery.

Aboveground biomass (AGB) is a key indicator of crop nutrition and growth status. Accurately and timely obtaining biomass information is essential for crop yield prediction in precision management systems. Remote sensing methods play a key role in monitoring crop biomass.

Global Meta-Analysis of Individual and Combined Nitrogen Inhibitors: Enhancing Plant Productivity and Reducing Environmental Losses.

Nitrogen (N) transformation inhibitors have been widely recognized as a promising strategy to enhance crop productivity and mitigate N losses. However, the effectiveness of individual or combined inhibitors can vary significantly across different agroecosystems. Using meta-analysis and cost-benefit analysis (CBA), we synthesized findings from 41 peer-reviewed studies (285 observations) globally to evaluate the efficacy of urease inhibitors (UIs), nitrification inhibitors (NIs), and combined inhibitors (UINIs).

Oxylipin Receptors and Their Role in Inter-Partner Signalling in a Model Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbiosis.

Oxylipin signalling is central in biology, mediating processes such as cellular homeostasis, inflammation and molecular signalling. It may also facilitate inter-partner communication in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis, though this aspect remains understudied. In this study, four oxylipin receptors were characterised using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana ('Aiptasia'): Prostaglandin E2 receptor 2 (EP2) and 4 (EP4), Transient Receptor Potential cation channel A1 (TRPA1) and Glutamate Receptor Ionotropic, Kainate 2 (GRIK2).

Multifaceted roles of plant-derived bioactive polysaccharides: A review of their biological functions, delivery, bioavailability, and applications within the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Plant-derived bioactive polysaccharides (PDBPs), versatile polymers originating from various botanical sources, exhibit a spectrum of biological functionalities crucial for human health. This review delves into the multifaceted roles of these bioactive compounds, elucidating their immune-boosting properties, antioxidant prowess, anti-inflammatory capabilities, and contributions to gut health. Amidst their pivotal roles, the efficiency of PDBPs delivery and bioavailability in the human system stands as a central determinant of their efficacy and utilization.

Optimising aerial herbicide treatment for control of dense conifer infestations: a New Zealand case study.

Background: Conifers, mainly of the genus Pinus, have invaded natural and productive landscapes worldwide. Controlling dense conifer invasions is challenging and requires both effective initial control methods and long-term site management to prevent re-invasion. Broadcast aerial herbicide application is often the preferred treatment method for dense infestations of pines with high rates of complex herbicide mixtures used.

First Report of Rust Caused by on L. in Korea.

Fig (Ficus carica L.) belonging to the Moraceae family is cultivated worldwide, with its primary production areas located in the Mediterranean region (Tous and Fergusen 1996). Yeongam-gun is a significant region for fig cultivation in Korea, accounting for 42% of the country's total fig cultivation area with approximately 1,400 fields (453ha, production yield 6000 tons).

Texture Evaluation and In Vivo Oral Tactile Perceptions of Cooked Wheat Pasta Sheets Partially Substituted with Pea Protein.

Plant proteins are increasingly incorporated into food products to enhance their nutritional value. However, little is known about how this alters the textural perceptions of such products. This study investigated the substitution of up to 35% wheat flour with pea protein isolate (PPI) into pasta sheets to determine how this influenced texture.

The effect of complementary foods on the colonic microbiota of weaning infants: a systematic review.

The transition from breastmilk to solid foods (weaning) is a decisive stage for the development of the colonic microbiota. However, little is known about how complementary foods influence the composition and function of the colonic microbiota in infants. This systematic review collected evidence of the effect of individual foods on the fecal microbiota of weaning infants (4-12 months old) using five databases: PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect.

Emerging alternative food protein sources: production process, quality parameters, and safety point of view.

The rise in the global population has increased the demand for dietary food protein. Strategies to maximize agricultural and livestock outputs could strain land and freshwater supply and contribute to substantial negative environmental impacts. Consequently, there has been an emphasis on identifying alternative sources of edible proteins that are more sustainable, sustainable, ethical, and healthy.