Consumption of added sugar has increased over recent decades and is correlated with numerous diseases. Rodent models have elucidated mechanisms of toxicity, but only at concentrations beyond typical human exposure. Here we show that comparatively low levels of added sugar consumption have substantial negative effects on mouse survival, competitive ability, and reproduction. Using Organismal Performance Assays (OPAs) – in which mice fed human-relevant concentrations of added sugar (25% Kcal from a mixture of fructose and glucose [F/G]) and control mice compete in seminatural enclosures for territories, resources and mates – we demonstrate that F/G-fed females experience a two-fold increase in mortality while F/G-fed males control 26% fewer territories and produce 25% less offspring. These findings represent the lowest level of sugar consumption shown to adversely affect mammalian health. Clinical defects of F/G-fed mice were decreased glucose clearance and increased fasting cholesterol. Our data highlight that physiological adversity can exist when clinical disruptions are minor, and suggest that OPAs represent a promising technique for unmasking negative effects of toxicants.

Vitamin A (VA) kinetics was studied in rats with marginal VA stores before, during, and after inflammation. Rats received orally [11, H(N)]retinol ([ 3 H]VA; day 0), and inflammation was induced on day 21 with lipopolysacchride (LPS) for 3 days (n 5 5) or recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) for 7 days (n 5 5). Both the fraction of [ 3 H]VA and retinol concentrations in plasma were reduced significantly by LPS or rhIL-6. Compartmental analysis using the Windows version of Simulation, Analysis, and Modeling software was applied to group mean data, and non-steadystate models were developed. After absorption, VA kinetics was described by a three-compartment model that included plasma, kidney/interstitium, and liver/carcass. Four mechanisms decreasing plasma retinol were investigated: increased urinary excretion, increased irreversible loss, increased movement into interstitium, and decreased hepatic mobilization. Modeling demonstrated that a 79% reduction in hepatic mobilization of retinol (from 4.3 to 0.9 nmol/h) by 15 h after LPS best accounted for the observed changes in plasma VA kinetics (sum of squares 5 9.05 3 10 207

We assessed the effects of prolonged reduction of plasma retinol concentrations (hyporetinolemia) on the distribution of tissue vitamin A (VA) and of its active compounds using a model of continuous recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) infusion via osmotic minipumps in VAsufficient male rats. Plasma retinol and retinol-binding protein (RBP) concentrations remained decreased and lower in rhIL-6-treated rats compared with controls from 7.5 h throughout 7 days of infusion ( P Ͻ 0.001). This reduction was accompanied by a 68% increase in hepatic retinol concentration by 7 days ( P Ͻ 0.05). Hepatic and renal retinyl palmitate and retinoic acid concentrations did not change, and renal megalin content remained unchanged; hepatic RBP concentrations were 41% lower in rhIL-6-treated rats compared with controls ( P Ͻ 0.05). These results indicate that instead of being lost, retinol accumulated in the liver during inflammation and that hyporetinolemia was attributable to a decrease in the availability of hepatic RBP. A plausible consequence of the effect of rhIL-6-induced hyporetinolemia is that by 7 days tissues that are dependent on plasma retinol may become deprived of VA. These results have important implications in understanding the mechanism by which measles infection induces hyporetinolemia and VA deficiency of extrahepatic tissues. -Gieng, S. H., J. Raila, and F. J. Rosales. Accumulation of retinol in the liver after prolonged hyporetinolemia in the vitamin A-sufficient rat. J. Lipid Res. 2005. 46: 641-649.

Performing nutrition assessment remotely via telehealth is a topic of significant interest given the global pandemic in 2020 that has necessitated physical distancing and virtual communications. This review presents an evidence‐based approach to conducting nutrition assessments remotely. The authors present suggestions for adaptations that can be used to perform a remote nutrition‐focused physical exam. Direct‐to‐consumer technologies that can be used in remote nutrition assessment are discussed and compared. Practice tips for conducting a telehealth visit are also presented. The aim of this publication is to provide interdisciplinary clinicians a set of guidelines and best practices for performing nutrition assessments in the era of telehealth.

This study provides experimental evidence that the consumption of human-relevant levels of F/G is more deleterious than an isocaloric amount of sucrose for key organism-level health measures in female mice.

rban food deserts, built environments and technology advancements (e.g., smart phones and computers) contribute to poorer diets and less physical activity, which tend to increase risks for childhood obesity (Brody 2002). Poor diet quality disproportionately affects our poorest children and ethnic minorities (Hiza et al. 2013;Kirkpatrick et al. 2012). Further, students' academic achievement is directly linked to their nutrition status and health (Glewwe et al. 2001), which includes a healthy mind and a belief in the capability to organize and execute a successful course of healthful action, known as self-efficacy (Bandura 1997). Self-efficacy instigates the adoption, initiation and maintenance of health-promoting behaviors RESEARCH ARTICLE Teens-as-teachers nutrition program increases interest in science among schoolchildren and fosters self-efficacy in teensAn after-school nutrition program increased children's preferences for gardening, cooking and science, and teen teachers reported an increase in health self-efficacy.

Essential oils are currently being investigated for their potential role as fruit preservatives. They contain a mixture of bioactive compounds that would help preserve fruits without using synthetic chemicals. They can slow or inhibit many fungi and bacteria growth, including Botrytis cinerea, one of the primary pathogens responsible for fruit waste. Lemon and cinnamon essential oils are particularly interesting since they are part of the GRAS list and have well‐documented literature on their antimicrobial properties. However, they can potentially alter multiple quality‐related physicochemical properties of the fruit. These effects differ depending on the application technique (vapor/edible coating), matrix and the concentration used, etc. This review seeks to clarify the effectiveness of lemon and cinnamon essential oils as a natural preservative by discussing their effects on the physicochemical properties and sensory characteristics of fruits during storage with a focus on strawberries, and potential directions for research. Novelty impact statement This is the first review to analyze in‐depth the potential role of lemon essential oil and cinnamon essential oil on the quality of fruits. Our paper considers the current information related to food loss and methods for preservation and encompasses an integrative approach to evaluate the effectiveness of lemon and cinnamon essential oil as natural preservatives. The article also discusses current gaps in the literature, informing about potential future investigations related to food preservation.

School gardens are an ideal space to deliver a healthy living curriculum, such as nutrition and physical activity education, to elementary school youth. However, public schools often lack the resources and support to establish sustainable garden-based programming. We created the Healthy Living Ambassador program, a collaborative after-school garden program in low-income communities that brought together resources from schools, community programs, and University of California Cooperative Extension. This school garden program featured culturally competent teens as teachers to serve as near-peer educators and mentors to elementary school youth. The program development model incorporated lessons from sustainable community-based health program interventions and essential elements of teens-as-teachers programs. We share the program logic model and discuss the successes and challenges of this program model that we encountered while developing a long-term, maintainable community garden program to teach healthy living.