Exposure to bisphenol A in European women from 2007 to 2014 using human biomonitoring data - The European Joint Programme HBM4EU

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol A (BPA; or 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol) is an endocrine disrupting chemical. It was widely used in a variety of plastic-based manufactured products for several years. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently reduced the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for BPA by 20,000 times due to concerns about immune-toxicity.

OBJECTIVE

We used human biomonitoring (HBM) data to investigate the general level of BPA exposure from 2007 to 2014 of European women aged 18-73 years (n = 4,226) and its determinants.

METHODS

Fifteen studies from 12 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) were included in the BPA Study protocol developed within the European Joint Programme HBM4EU. Seventy variables related to the BPA exposure were collected through a rigorous post-harmonization process. Linear mixed regression models were used to investigate the determinants of total urine BPA in the combined population.

RESULTS

Total BPA was quantified in 85-100 % of women in 14 out of 15 contributing studies. Only the Austrian PBAT study (Western Europe), which had a limit of quantification 2.5 to 25-fold higher than the other studies (LOQ=2.5 µg/L), found total BPA in less than 5 % of the urine samples analyzed. The geometric mean (GM) of total urine BPA ranged from 0.77 to 2.47 µg/L among the contributing studies. The lowest GM of total BPA was observed in France (Western Europe) from the ELFE subset (GM=0.77 µg/L (0.98 µg/g creatinine), n = 1741), and the highest levels were found in Belgium (Western Europe) and Greece (Southern Europe), from DEMOCOPHES (GM=2.47 µg/L (2.26 µg/g creatinine), n = 129) and HELIX-RHEA (GM=2.47 µg/L (2.44 µg/g creatinine), n = 194) subsets, respectively. One hundred percent of women in 14 out of 15 data collections in this study exceeded the health-based human biomonitoring guidance value for the general population (HBM-GVGenPop) of 0.0115 µg total BPA/L urine derived from the updated EFSA's BPA TDI. Variables related to the measurement of total urine BPA and those related to the main socio-demographic characteristics (age, height, weight, education, smoking status) were collected in almost all studies, while several variables related to BPA exposure factors were not gathered in most of the original studies (consumption of beverages contained in plastic bottles, consumption of canned food or beverages, consumption of food in contact with plastic packaging, use of plastic film or plastic containers for food, having a plastic floor covering in the house, use of thermal paper…). No clear determinants of total urine BPA concentrations among European women were found. A broader range of data planned for collection in the original questionnaires of the contributing studies would have resulted in a more thorough investigation of the determinants of BPA exposure in European women.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the urgent need for action to further reduce exposure to BPA to protect the population, as is already the case in the European Union. The study also underscores the importance of pre-harmonizing HBM design and data for producing comparable data and interpretable results at a European-wide level, and to increase HBM uptake by regulatory agencies.

Combining fracture mechanics and rheology to investigate the impact of micro-aeration on chocolate oral processing

This study presents a rigorous mechanical characterisation investigation on milk chocolate with varying porosities, at different temperatures and strain rate levels. Uniaxial compression tests at temperatures varying from 20 °C to 30 °C were performed to measure the bulk properties of chocolate as a function of porosity and temperature. Fracture experiments were also conducted to compute the fracture energy at temperature levels between 20 °C and 30 °C for all tested samples. Additionally, rheological experiments are conducted to compute the viscosity of the different chocolates at 37 °C. This combined experimental analysis of solid mechanics, fracture mechanics, and rheology aims to define the impact of temperature and chocolate's phase change from solid to liquid on its mechanical properties. Moreover, the impact of micro-aeration on the relationship between material properties and temperature is discussed. The results demonstrate a significant impact of both temperature and micro-aeration on the chocolate's material properties; fracture stresses decrease with micro-aeration due to the presence of micro-pores creating weak links in the chocolate matrix, the critical strain energy release rate decreases with micro-aeration at temperatures up to 25 °C and increases at temperatures above 30 °C. Finally, the viscosity at 37 °C increases with increasing porosity due to the obstruction of the flow by micro-pores acting as "solid" particles. The results highlight how the impact of micro-aeration on the material properties of chocolate alters as the testing temperature rises and the material changes phase. The relationships between the micro-aeration and material properties and the dependence of temperature on the different mechanical properties are used to explain the difference in textural attributes as obtained from temporal dominance sensation tests. This study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the field of chocolate technology, emphasizing the need for a combined engineering approach to understand the structural breakdown of chocolate during oral processing as mechanisms such as chewing, melting, mixing and shearing occur.

Food choices for weight loss: what dietary strategies would people use?

Previous observational research showed that one of the most common strategies used to lose weight is to avoid or restrict the consumption of specific food items. However, the question of how people behave and implement strategies in actual decision-making situations involving food choices for weight loss purposes remains inconclusive. This experimental study using a food buffet aimed to examine people's different dietary strategies and motives for selecting foods for an entire day for weight loss purposes compared with a normal-day (ND) food selection. A total of 111 participants (55 % women) had to choose foods for both a ND and a weight loss day (WLD) (within-study design). Kilocalories and nutrients were calculated based on the weights of the foods selected, and food choice motives were assessed using a questionnaire. The results showed that for weight loss purposes, the participants selected more vegetables (both sexes) and unsweetened beverages (only men) while reducing their choices of high-fat and high-energy products (both sexes). Participants' food choices in both conditions (ND and WLD) differed from the official nutrition recommendations. They chose less carbohydrates and fibres and more fat and sugar than recommended. Health, kilocalories and nutrient content (carbohydrates, sugar, fat and protein) were more important food choice motives for weight loss purposes than for a ND food selection, while taste became less important. In conclusion, the participants appeared to be well capable of implementing several appropriate dietary strategies. Further research is needed to explore strategies to help them maintain these dietary changes over the long term.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Austrian Human Breast Milk Collected between 2013 and 2016

Breast milk holds an immense nutritional value as it contains health-promoting substances in a unique, optimal form. Additionally, breast milk's significance extends to health and environmental protection, as it serves as an indicator of both maternal and infant exposure. In this study, breast milk samples collected in 2013 and in 2014-2016 from mothers in Vienna (Austria) were analysed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as further substances which have been listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The total concentration of the PBDE congeners in the samples (n = 18, sampled 2013) ranged from 0.055 to 52 ng/g lipid, and from 0.002 to 2.5 ng/g breast milk. In the pooled sample, the sum of PBDEs was detected at a level of 4.4 ng/g lipid. Based on the 2014-2016 study population, certain PFAS were detected in all samples (n = 40). Exposure to the sum of four specific PFAS including perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) ranged between 0.014 and 0.12 ng/L breast milk. In the pooled sample, PFOS and PFOA were found in concentrations of 0.025 ng/g and of 0.045 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the first generation of POPs, mainly organochlorine compounds, was measured in a pooled sample of breast milk from participants sampled in 2014-2016 as part of the WHO/UNEP breast milk monitoring program and compared to the POPs measured in pooled samples collected in 1987/1988 and 1992/1993, respectively. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on POPs by comparing the Austrian results from the WHO/UNEP global breast milk study from 1987 to 2016. However, the data also show that, despite these reductions, health-relevant levels are still being reached, particularly in terms of children's health when the presence of the new generation of POPs, such as PBDEs and PFAS, in human breast milk is taken into account.

Intuitive eating and its influence on self-reported weight and eating behaviors

Intuitive eating (IE) is an adaptive eating behavior that involves paying attention to the body's physiological signals, including eating when hungry and stopping when feeling full. A growing body of literature has examined the effect of IE on the development of maladaptive eating behaviors and body weight, even though IE is not centered around the latter. However, longitudinal observation studies among the general population are still rare. Therefore, this study aimed to longitudinally examine the links between IE and changes in body weight, maladaptive eating behaviors (reward, external, restrained eating), and overeating frequency over time. For this purpose, we used data from the first (2017) and the fourth waves (2020) of the Swiss Food Panel 2.0 survey, which included 1821 randomly selected Swiss participants. The same participants completed a self-administered questionnaire annually, measuring their self-reported eating behaviors and weight status. IE was measured with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2. Results showed that women with high IE scores were more likely to maintain their body weights (within ±2 kg) and less likely to gain weight (>2 kg) than women with low IE scores. No such effects were found for men. Furthermore, IE was linked to a reduction in maladaptive eating behaviors and overeating frequency over time in both genders. Results suggest that IE may counteract maladaptive eating behaviors, which can promote weight stability over time. Therefore, the encouragement of IE patterns seems to be a promising strategy to address problematic eating behaviors and the challenges associated with controlling food intake and prevention of overeating.

The Austrian children's biomonitoring survey 2020 Part B: Mycotoxins, phytotoxins, phytoestrogens and food processing contaminants

This study assessed the levels of environment and food-related exposures in urine of Austrian school children aged six to ten (n = 85) focusing on mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and food processing by-products using two multi-analyte LC-MS/MS methods. Out of the 55 biomarkers of exposure reported in this study, 22 were quantified in the first void urine samples. Mycotoxins frequently quantified included zearalenone (detection rate 100%; median 0.11 ng/mL), deoxynivalenol (99%; 15 ng/mL), alternariol monomethyl ether (75%; 0.04 ng/mL), and ochratoxin A (19%; 0.03 ng/mL). Several phytoestrogens, including genistein, daidzein, and its metabolite equol, were detected in all samples at median concentrations of 22 ng/mL, 43 ng/mL, and 14 ng/mL, respectively. The food processing by-product 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), was detected in 4% of the samples (median 0.016 ng/mL). None of the investigated samples contained the tested phytotoxins that were rarely considered for human biomonitoring previously (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, aristolochic acids). When relating estimated exposure to current health-based guidance values, 22% of the children exceeded the tolerable daily intake for deoxynivalenol, and the estimated MOE for OTA indicates possible health risks for some children. The results clearly demonstrate frequent low-level (co-)exposure and warrant further exposome-scale exposure assessments, especially in susceptible sub-populations and longitudinal settings.

[Postoperative management following decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction-A German nationwide survey study]

BACKGROUND

Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction is a potentially life-threatening disease. Decompressive hemicraniectomy constitutes an evidence-based treatment practice, especially in patients under 60 years of age; however, recommendations with respect to postoperative management and particularly duration of postoperative sedation lack standardization.

OBJECTIVE

This survey study aimed to analyze the current situation of patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction following hemicraniectomy in the neurointensive care setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From 20 September 2021 to 31 October 2021, 43 members of the initiative of German neurointensive trial engagement (IGNITE) network were invited to participate in a standardized anonymous online survey. Descriptive data analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Out of 43 centers 29 (67.4%) participated in the survey, including 24 university hospitals. Of the hospitals 21 have their own neurological intensive care unit. While 23.1% favored a standardized approach regarding postoperative sedation, the majority utilized individual criteria (e.g., intracranial pressure increase, weaning parameters, complications) to assess the need and duration. The timing of targeted extubation varied widely between hospitals (≤ 24 h 19.2%, ≤ 3 days in 30.8%, ≤ 5 days in 19.2%, > 5 days in 15.4%). Early tracheotomy (≤ 7 days) is performed in 19.2% and 80.8% of the centers aim for tracheotomy within 14 days. Hyperosmolar treatment is used on a regular basis in 53.9% and 22 centers (84.6%) agreed to participate in a clinical trial addressing the duration of postoperative sedation and ventilation.

CONCLUSION

The results of this nationwide survey among neurointensive care units in Germany reflect a remarkable heterogeneity in the treatment practices of patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction undergoing hemicraniectomy, especially with respect to the duration of postoperative sedation and ventilation. A randomized trial in this matter seems warranted.

Gradual behaviour change towards meat reduction: Development and validation of a novel decisional balance scale

Meat reduction is gaining attention among consumers, marketers, policymakers and scientists. Yet little is known about decision-making processes and behaviour change towards meat reduction. This paper explores the applicability of the decisional balance (DB) framework to the field of meat reduction. A novel DB scale to measure the perceived importance of beliefs about meat reduction at different stages of behaviour change was developed and validated in two studies with German meat eaters. In Study 1 (N = 309), the item inventory was tested using an exploratory factor analysis and then validated in Study 2 (N = 809). The results yielded two higher-order DB factors (pros and cons), which were subdivided into five lower-order factors (perceived benefits of a plant-based diet, downsides of factory farming, health barriers, legitimation barriers and feasibility barriers). The pros and cons were summarised in a DB index. All DB factors and the DB index were tested for internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥.70) and aspects of validity. The typical DB pattern of the pros and cons of behaviour change was confirmed: the cons outweighed the pros for consumers who did not intend to reduce meat consumption, while the pros outweighed the cons for consumers who intended to reduce meat consumption. The new DB scale for meat reduction has proven to be a suitable measure to gain insights into consumers' decision making and could be used to develop targeted meat reduction interventions.

Why alternative proteins will not disrupt the meat industry

The production of food, especially meat, has a high environmental impact. Many believe that the introduction of alternative proteins could substantially reduce animal meat consumption, resulting in a more sustainable food system. In this review, we critically evaluate the challenges and barriers that need to be overcome to ensure that these alternative proteins have the desired effects. We focus on conventional plant-based proteins (e.g., pulses, soy, and legumes), highly processed meat analogs (e.g., Quorn and the Impossible Burger), cultured meat, and insects. For a majority of consumers, meat seems to be too attractive to be substituted by plant proteins, cultured meat, or insects. There are certainly niche markets for these products, but worldwide meat consumption is still likely to grow in the future. We argue that technological solutions alone are not sufficient to substantially reduce meat consumption and that additional measures are needed.

Application of human biomonitoring data to support policy development, raise awareness and environmental public health protection among countries within the HBM4EU project

Most countries have acknowledged the importance of assessing and quantifying their population's internal exposure from chemicals in air, water, soil, food and other consumer products due to the potential health and economic impact. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a valuable tool which can be used to quantify such exposures and effects. Results from HBM studies can also contribute to improving public health by providing evidence of individuals' internal chemical exposure as well as data to understand the burden of disease and associated costs thereby stimulating the development and implementation of evidence-based policy. To have a holistic view on HBM data utilisation, a multi-case research approach was used to explore the use of HBM data to support national chemical regulations, protect public health and raise awareness among countries participating in the HBM4EU project. The Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative (https://www.hbm4eu.eu/) is a collaborative effort involving 30 countries, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission (contracting authority) to harmonise procedures across Europe and advance research into the understanding of the health impacts of environmental chemical exposure. One of the aims of the project was to use HBM data to support evidence based chemical policy and make this information timely and directly available for policy makers and all partners. The main data source for this article was the narratives collected from 27 countries within the HBM4EU project. The countries (self-selection) were grouped into 3 categories in terms of HBM data usage either for public awareness, policy support or for the establishment HBM programme. Narratives were analysed/summarised using guidelines and templates that focused on ministries involved in or advocating for HBM; steps required to engage policy makers; barriers, drivers and opportunities in developing a HBM programme. The narratives reported the use of HBM data either for raising awareness or addressing environmental/public health issues and policy development. The ministries of Health and Environment were reported to be the most prominent entities advocating for HBM, the involvement of several authorities/institutions in the national hubs was also cited to create an avenue to interact, discuss and gain the attention of policy makers. Participating in European projects and the general population interest in HBM studies were seen as drivers and opportunities in developing HBM programmes. A key barrier that was cited by countries for establishing and sustaining national HBM programmes was funding which is mainly due to the high costs associated with the collection and chemical analysis of human samples. Although challenges and barriers still exist, most countries within Europe were already conversant with the benefits and opportunities of HBM. This article offers important insights into factors associated with the utilisation of HBM data for policy support and public awareness.

Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and pregnancy outcome in Austria

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of persistent industrial chemicals that can harm reproductive health. PFAS levels were analysed to determine the current sources of exposure and possible associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and adverse pregnancy outcome. Samples from 136 mother-newborn pairs recruited between 2017 and 2019 were analysed for the presence of 31 target PFAS in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and placental tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer. Questionnaires and medical records were used to survey sources of exposure and pregnancy outcome, including small for gestational age (SGA), fetal growth restriction (FGR), preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, large for gestational age (LGA) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Data were analysed for individual PFAS and sum4PFAS (sum of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) serum levels) in logistic regression analyses and categorical regression analyses. Compared to data from a previous Viennese study in 2010-12, sum4PFAS levels were generally lower. Sum4PFAS serum levels of three women (2.2%) exceeded 6.9 µg/L, a level that corresponds to the recently established tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of EFSA for nursing mothers aged 35 years; in the 2010/2012 study it was 13.6%. The large contribution of unidentified extractable organofluorine (EOF) fractions to total PFAS exposure is a concern. Study site, mean maternal corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), use of facial lotion, and owning upholstered furniture were significantly influencing maternal exposure. While no effect of sum4PFAS on pregnancy outcome could be detected, we found highest placental PFDA levels in SGA births. PFHxS levels in umbilical cord and placenta were highest in preterm births. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship of prenatal PFAS exposure and pregnancy outcome, in particular to confirm whether and how placental PFDA levels may contribute to an increased risk for SGA.

Results of the Austrian Children's Biomonitoring Survey 2020 part A: Per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances, bisphenols, parabens and other xenobiotics

In 85 Austrian school children aged 6-10 years, two multi-analyte LC-MS/MS methods were used to study the concentrations of 33 chemical substances in urine, including per- and polyfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS), bisphenols, parabens, benzophenones, triclosan, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites, and cotinine. Each of the children was exposed to 14-21 substances simultaneously. Correlations were found between compounds of the same and of divergent substance groups supporting the strong need to consider multiple exposures and mixture effects. Eight compounds, including perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFOA), methyl paraben (n-MeP), ethyl paraben (n-EtP), propyl paraben (n-PrP), benzophenone-1 (BP-1), 2-naphthol, and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene were detected in all urine samples. In the PFAS group the medians of detectable substances ranged between <0.0005 μg/l for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and 0.004 μg/l for PFHxA. For other environmental contaminants investigated, a maximum urinary level of 893 μg/l was identified for n-MeP. The highest median value was 2.5 μg/l for 2-naphthol. Daily intakes were calculated for bisphenol A (BPA), triclosan (TCS), and four parabens. These values did not exceed the tolerable or acceptable daily intakes currently in force. Based on a recently proposed TDI for BPA, daily intakes of all children exceeded this value. A cumulative risk assessment was conducted for four parabens not showing exceedances of acceptable exposures. The results demonstrate simultaneous exposure to several different chemicals, with the majority showing impact on the endocrine system being of particular concern with respect to mixture effects. Further assessments with a stronger focus on mixtures are warranted. The results also highlight the need of policy actions as foreseen in the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

Exposure to Phthalates in European Children, Adolescents and Adults since 2005: A Harmonized Approach Based on Existing HBM Data in the HBM4EU Initiative

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers and are associated inter alia with adverse effects on reproductive functions. While more and more national programs in Europe have started monitoring internal exposure to phthalates and its substitute 1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (DINCH), the comparability of results from such existing human biomonitoring (HBM) studies across Europe is challenging. They differ widely in time periods, study samples, degree of geographical coverage, design, analytical methodology, biomarker selection, and analytical quality assurance level. The HBM4EU initiative has gathered existing HBM data of 29 studies from participating countries, covering all European regions and Israel. The data were prepared and aggregated by a harmonized procedure with the aim to describe-as comparably as possible-the EU-wide general population's internal exposure to phthalates from the years 2005 to 2019. Most data were available from Northern (up to 6 studies and up to 13 time points), Western (11; 19), and Eastern Europe (9; 12), e.g., allowing for the investigation of time patterns. While the bandwidth of exposure was generally similar, we still observed regional differences for Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), and Di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) with pronounced decreases over time in Northern and Western Europe, and to a lesser degree in Eastern Europe. Differences between age groups were visible for Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), where children (3 to 5-year olds and 6 to 11-year olds) had lower urinary concentrations than adolescents (12 to 19-year-olds), who in turn had lower urinary concentrations than adults (20 to 39-year-olds). This study is a step towards making internal exposures to phthalates comparable across countries, although standardized data were not available, targeting European data sets harmonized with respect to data formatting and calculation of aggregated data (such as developed within HBM4EU), and highlights further suggestions for improved harmonization in future studies.

Consideration of pathways for immunotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

BACKGROUND

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of public health concern, because of their ubiquitous and extremely persistent occurrence, and depending on their structure, their bio-accumulative, mobile and toxic properties. Human health effects associated with exposure to PFAS include adverse effects on the immune system. In 2020, EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) defined adverse effects on the immune system as the most critical effect for human health risk assessment, based on reduced antibody responses to childhood vaccines and similar effects observed in experimental animal studies. Likewise, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) considers PFAS-induced immunotoxicity, especially in children, as the critical effect for risk assessment. However, the mechanisms by which antibody concentrations are impacted are not completely understood. Furthermore, other targets of the immune system functions have been reported in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to explore PFAS-associated immune-related effects. This includes, relevant mechanisms that may underlie the observed effects on the immune system, immunosuppression as well as immunoenhancement, such as i) modulation of cell signalling and nuclear receptors, such as NF-κB and PPARs; ii) alteration of calcium signalling and homoeostasis in immune cells; iii) modulation of immune cell populations; iv) oxidative stress and v) impact on fatty acid metabolism & secondary effects on the immune system.

METHODS

A literature research was conducted using three databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus), which were searched in July 2021 for relevant studies published in the time frame from 2018 to 2021. In total, 487 publications were identified as potentially eligible and following expert-based judgement, articles relevant for mechanisms of PFAS induced immunotoxicity are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, we show that there is substantial evidence from both in vitro and in vivo experimental as well as epidemiological studies, supporting that various PFAS, not only PFOA and PFOS, affect multiple aspects of the immune system. Timing of exposure is critical, because the developing immune system is especially vulnerable to toxic insults, resulting in a higher risk of particularly adverse immune effects but also other organs later in life.

The Positive Eating Scale: Associations with eating behavior, food choice, and body mass index

To further investigate the effects of positive eating on health, the present study focused on associations of the Positive Eating Scale (PES, the Pleasure when Eating and Satisfaction with Eating subscales) with eating behaviors, food intake, and body mass index (BMI) in a large sample of the general Swiss population. Participants (T1: n = 2795, 46.7 % men; T2: n = 1931, 46.5 % men) with a mean age of 60 (SD = 16) years at T1 (2019) and 62 (SD = 15) years at T2 (2021) completed the Swiss Food Panel 2.0 paper-and-pencil questionnaire which included the PES, eating behaviors, food intake, and BMI. The results showed that both restrained and reward eating in response to positive emotions were mostly negatively correlated with the PES subscales for men and women, whereas intuitive eating, diet-related health consciousness, and perceived health status were positively related to the PES subscales. Women tended to choose healthier foods and recorded higher eating satisfaction. BMI was negatively related to the PES subscale Satisfaction with Eating (β = -0.17) and positively related to the subscale Pleasure when Eating (β = 0.08) despite rather small correlations with healthier food choices and better diet quality. No significant effects of the PES subscales on change in BMI were detected over the two-year period. Since the PES subscales showed diverging associations with other eating behavior constructs, a combination into a total score may not be optimal. Overall, positive eating may be associated with more balanced eating habits and better perceived health status.

Consumer Assessment of 3D-Printed Food Shape, Taste, and Fidelity Using Chocolate and Marzipan Materials

Additive manufacturing enables the production of complex structures with emerging approaches showing great promise in the food industry for design customization. Three-dimensional food printing has benefits for providing personalized health and shape fabrication for consumers. Past studies have demonstrated positive consumer perceptions for 3D food printing, but there is still a need for consumer validation of the technology through consumption and rating of fabricated 3D-printed foods. This article measures consumer response on shape, taste, and fidelity for 3D-printed food designs. Participants (N = 28) were presented with a series of designs differing in shape complexity and ingredients (marzipan and chocolate) and provided ratings using a visual analog scale (100 mm line). The results show that fabricated shapes with higher complexity were preferred by participants with 8.8 ± 0.3 ratings over lower complexity shapes with 5.5 ± 0.4 ratings. Taste preference was primarily dependent on the material selection, with chocolate material preferred by participants with 8.2 ± 0.5 ratings over marzipan material with 6.0 ± 0.5. Results demonstrated that participants preferred 3D-printed shapes that achieved high fidelity in recreating their computer-aided design (CAD) with 7.3 ± 0.3 ratings that were greater than 5.5 ± 0.5 for low-fidelity prints. These findings demonstrate first measurements of 3D food printing from a consumer perspective and provide a foundation for future studies on personalized manufacturing and nutrition.

Seasonal shifts in isoprenoid emission composition from three hyperdominant tree species in central Amazonia

Volatile isoprenoids regulate plant performance and atmospheric processes, and Amazon forests comprise the dominant source to the global atmosphere. Still, there is a poor understanding of how isoprenoid emission capacities vary in response to ecophysiological and environmental controls in Amazonian ecosystems. We measured isoprenoid emission capacities of three Amazonian hyperdominant tree species - Protium hebetatum, Eschweilera grandiflora, Eschweilera coriacea - across seasons and along a topographic and edaphic environmental gradient in the central Amazon. From wet to dry season, both photosynthesis and isoprene emission capacities strongly declined, while emissions increased among the heavier isoprenoids: monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Plasticity across habitats was most evident in P. hebetatum, which emitted sesquiterpenes only in the dry season, at rates that significantly increased along the hydro-topographic gradient from white sands (shallow root water access) to uplands (deep water table). We suggest that emission composition shifts are part of a plastic response to increasing abiotic stress (e.g. heat and drought) and reduced photosynthetic supply of substrates for isoprenoid synthesis. Our comprehensive measurements suggest that more emphasis should be placed on other isoprenoids, besides isoprene, in the context of abiotic stress responses. Shifting emission compositions have implications for atmospheric responses because of the strong variation in reactivity among isoprenoid compounds.

[The history of emerging substances in Austria]

Over time, many different groups of substances became the focus of interest, so their occurrence, behaviour and effects were studied. While in the 1990s, it was detergents and the formation of foam in water, later the causes of discolouration around tanneries were researched, as well as the presence of chemicals and pollutants near industrial plants. Organochlorine pesticides, brominated flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, organotin compounds are some examples of such Emerging substances. After pesticides and industrial chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, cosmetics and personal care products have also become "Emerging substances". Ultimately, however, it is the effect of the substances-whether persistent, bioaccumulative, mobile, toxic or even endocrine disruption-that attracts attention and triggers legal regulations. As the substances and the methods for their detection changed, so did the corresponding legislation. This in turn led to the use of new or slightly modified substances and substance groups. Innovative methods such as non-targeted analytics and biological effect tests or bioassays are now being utilised to address the variety and combined effects of the existing substances. In order to ensure comprehensive groundwater and water protection, the investigation and assessment methods must be developed. Furthermore, the existing and newly acquired knowledge need to be translated into regulatory consequences more quickly. Beyond that, a comprehensive societal transformation with regard to the sustainable use of natural water resources is essential for environmentally sound and healthy development. This must therefore be implemented on many different levels; with knowledge transfer and awareness-raising also having a significant role to play.

Making Green(s) With Black and White: Constructing Soils for Urban Agriculture Using Earthworms, Organic and Mineral Wastes

Urban agriculture has been of growing interest for a decade because it can address many economic and societal issues in the development of modern cities. However, urban agriculture is often limited by the availability of fertile and non-contaminated soils in the cities. Recycling excavated mineral wastes from building activities to construct fertile soils may be a more sustainable alternative than the importation of topsoils from rural zones. The present study aims to evaluate the possibility to grow green vegetables on soils made with excavated deep horizon of soils and green waste compost. During three consecutive seasons, we tested in situ the effects of different amounts of compost (10, 20, and 30%) and the addition of an earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris) on the production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in mono- and co-culture. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to reuse mineral and organic urban wastes to engineer soils adapted to agriculture. Here, we observed that higher doses of compost significantly increased plant biomass, especially when earthworms were introduced. For example, in the autumn, going from 10 to 30% of compost in the soil mixture allows to multiply by 2 the arugula biomass, and even by 4 in the presence of earthworms. These results were partly due to the positive effects of these two factors on soil physical properties (micro- and macro-porosity). This preliminary study also showed that some plants (arugula) are more adapted than others (lettuce) to the soil properties and that it only takes few months to get the highest yields. These promising results for the development of urban agricultures encourage to test many other combination of plant and earthworm species but also to conduct experiments over long-term periods.

Experimental and numerical evaluation of the effect of micro-aeration on the thermal properties of chocolate

Thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity and latent heat, influence the melting and solidification of chocolate. The accurate prediction of these properties for micro-aerated chocolate products with varying levels of porosity ranging from 0% to 15% is beneficial for understanding and control of heat transfer mechanisms during chocolate manufacturing and food oral processing. The former process is important for the final quality of chocolate and the latter is associated with sensorial attributes, such as grittiness, melting time and flavour. This study proposes a novel multiscale finite element model to accurately predict the temporal and spatial evolution of temperature across chocolate samples. The model is evaluated via heat transfer experiments at temperatures varying from 16 °C to 45 °C. Both experimental and numerical results suggest that the rate of heat transfer within the micro-aerated chocolate is reduced by 7% when the 15% micro-aerated chocolate is compared to its solid counterpart. More specifically, on average, the thermal conductivity decreased by 20% and specific heat capacity increased by 10% for 15% micro-aeration, suggesting that micro-pores act as thermal barriers to heat flow. The latter trend is unexpected for porous materials and thus the presence of a third phase at the pore's interface is proposed which might store thermal energy leading to a delayed release to the chocolate system. The developed multiscale numerical model provides a design tool to create pore structures in chocolate with optimum melting or solidifying response.

Associations between hydration status, body composition, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in the general population: a cross-sectional study

Background

Whole-body hydration status is associated with several health outcomes, such as dehydration, edema and hypertension, but little is known about the nonclinical determinants. Therefore, we studied the associations of sex, age, body composition, nutrition, and physical activity on several body hydration measures.

Methods

We assessed sociodemographic variables, dietary habits, and physical activity by questionnaire and body composition by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). We compared determinants between the sexes and calculated associations between determinants and BIVA hydration measures by multivariable linear regressions.

Results

A total of 242 adults from the general population (age 18–94, 47% women) were included. Women were younger, smaller, lighter, and had a smaller BMI (kg/m²) than men (p < 0.05). Women had less muscle mass, less visceral fat mass and less extracellular and intracellular water than men (p < 0.001). Women showed less intracellular water per extracellular water than men, while men showed higher phase angle values than women (both p < 0.001). Men had a stronger association of hydration measures with physical activity than women. Both sexes showed a decrease in hydration measures with age.

Conclusions

Sex, age, body composition, and physical activity influence body hydration. There seem to be differences in body water regulation between the sexes. Especially interesting are factors susceptible to preventive measures such as physical activity.