Effects of introduced macadamia on soil organic carbon and water stocks in subtropical agroforestry systems of southwestern China
Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)-based agroforestry systems, widely adopted in Yunnan Province, China since 1981, are critical for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. However, their effects on SOC stocks and coupling mechanisms with soil water dynamics remains poorly understood. This study quantified changes in SOC and soil water stocks following the conversion from primary forest to macadamia monoculture and intercropping systems (dasheen, konjac, and maize) in Yongde County, southwestern Yunnan province. Soil profiles (0–100 cm, 0–20 cm, and 20–100 cm) were analyzed to assess vertical SOC and soil water stocks interactions and driving factors. Results revealed that macadamia-based agroforestry systems reduced significantly SOC stock compared to primary forest (261 t/hm2) but enhanced soil water stock. Among intercropping systems, macadamia+dasheen plantation exhibited the highest recovery of SOC and soil water stock. Surface soil layers (0–20 cm) showed strong SOC-water coupling, whereas this relationship weakened in deeper layers (20–100 cm). Simultaneously, woody above-ground biomass directly increased SOC stock, while specific leaf area and leaf phosphorus content regulated SOC stock directly or indirectly via woody above-ground biomass. Conversely, herb above-ground biomass negatively influenced SOC stock in surface soil layer, but had no significant effect in the deeper layer. Woody above-ground biomass exhibited a consistent negative influence on soil water stock across all soil layers, with the standardized path coefficients of −1.23 (0–100 cm), −1.153 (0–20 cm), and −1.23 (20–100 cm). This relationship was further modulated by indirect effects mediated through specific leaf area and leaf phosphorus content. This study provides mechanistic insights into the interdependencies of SOC and water stock in the subtropical macadamia-based agroforestry systems, providing valuable guidance for sustainable carbon management practices in China’s subtropical mountainous region.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.121344
Mitigating tropical cyclone susceptibility in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards
The production of tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans is a globally important agricultural industry. Climate risk posed to tree nut orchards was recently brought to light by a series of severe tropical cyclone impacts to the primary pecan-producing areas of Georgia, USA which caused $1.2 billion USD in losses. Understanding how severe wind risk changes with pecan tree size can guide the development of climate-smart practices that improve global resilience of tree nuts. Immediately after 2023 Hurricane Idalia, we reconstructed hurricane damage to 11 pecan orchards across southern Georgia and examined how tree susceptibility varied with wind speed and tree size for 1142 trees. We found that the probability of tropical cyclone damage to pecan trees increased with wind speed and was highest for intermediate size classes—peaking at 35 cm diameter at breast height. We developed a conceptual model for assessing hurricane risk on crop yield which illustrates how explicit consideration of age-structure can influence expected profits when hurricane risk is considered. We recommend that pecan growers consider age and size structure in orchard planning. Prior research also suggests that mechanical hedge pruning increases windfirmness. Climate-smart practices can enhance resilience and sustainability in pecan orchards in future climates where increases in severe tropical cyclones are expected.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2025.114236
Sex-specific Leukocyte Responses to Peanut Allergen: Uncovering Potential Links to the Molecular Circadian Clock
Food allergies, particularly peanut allergies, are on the rise, affecting ∼10% of the U.S. population and 17% of adults. We explored sex-based differences in inflammatory responses to peanut allergens using a mouse model. Female mice exhibited severe allergic symptoms and a greater drop in body temperature than males when challenged with peanut extract and cholera toxin. Females showed higher levels of interstitial macrophages and neutrophils, while males showed increased eosinophil and lymphocyte influx. Elevated cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9) in females correlate with increased IgE and histamine, indicating heightened mast cell activation. Reduced expression of the circadian gene Rev-erbα in female intestines post-challenge suggests a link between inflammatory responses and circadian disruption. IgE/mast cell and IgG/neutrophil-mediated pathways appeared to be involved in female responses. These findings suggest that hormonal and circadian influences may play critical roles in sex-based differences in peanut allergen, with further investigation needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jleuko/qiaf097
Infant diet recommendations reduce IgE-mediated egg, peanut and cow's milk allergies
Background: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have found that introducing eggs and peanuts earlier during infancy reduced egg and peanut allergy risk. Hence, infant feeding advice has dramatically changed from previous recommendations of avoidance to current recommendations of inclusion of common food allergens in infant diets. Objective: To compare the prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergies at 1-year of age between two cohorts, before and after infant feeding and allergy prevention guidelines changed. Methods: In cohort 1 (506 infants born 2006-2014), no infant feeding advice was provided to participants. In cohort 2 (566 infants born 2016-2022), when the infants were 6 months of age, all families were provided with updated infant feeding and allergy prevention guidelines. All infants had a first-degree relative with a history of allergic disease. At 1-year of age, infant food allergen sensitization and IgE-mediated food allergy were assessed. Results: Peanut, egg and cow's milk were introduced earlier in cohort 2 compared to cohort 1 (all p<0.001). Combined prevalence of IgE-mediated peanut, egg and/or cow's milk allergies was 4.1% in cohort 2 compared to 12.6% in cohort 1, adjusted odd ratio (aOR) 0.28, 95% CI 0.16-0.48, p<0.001). Specifically, peanut allergy 1.1% vs 5.8% (aOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0.76, p=0.015), egg allergy 2.8% vs 11.7% (aOR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12-0.45, p<0.001), and cow's milk allergy 0.5% vs 2.4% (aOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04-0.55, p=0.005). Conclusion: Direct provision of updated food allergy prevention guidelines to families facilitated earlier introduction and reduced prevalence of IgE-mediated peanut, egg and cow's milk allergies.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2025.06.012
The kinetics of epitope-specific IgE and IgG4 in early peanut allergy development and resolution
Background: The development and resolution of peanut allergy (PA) was evaluated in children enrolled or screened for the LEAP intervention trial. The development of epitope-specific-immunoglobulin(es-Ig)E and es-IgG4 antibodies was evaluated in a subset of these children to determine whether their PA status could be predicted at 4-11 months of age. Methods: Sera from 386children enrolled or screened as part of the LEAP trial were assayed at 4-11 months (baseline) and 60 months of age, and final allergy status was established by OFC at 60 months. Es-IgE and es-IgG4 to 64 informative peanut epitopes were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models and Machine Learning (ML) was used to develop a predictive algorithm. Results: Children were categorized in four groups: 37 developed PA early that persisted (EP), 17 developed PA early but resolved (ER), 33 developed PA later in childhood (by 60 months of age, LA), and 298 never developed PA (NA). Differences among groups in es-IgE and es-IgG4 were detectable at baseline. ER showed lower levels of Ara h 2_008 es-IgE and higher es-IgG4 levels to several epitopes compared to the EP group. Both EP and ER groups had greater levels of several baseline es-IgE antibodies compared to the LA. By 60 months, all three groups had significant increases in both the levels and diversity of es-IgG4 antibodies, while es-IgE antibodies increased only in EP and LA groups and decreased in ER group. ML models were predictive of persistent allergy by 60 months of age with an average AUC in testing of 0.75. Conclusions: These results suggest that baseline es-IgE in children sensitized in the first year of life can predict likely persistent peanut allergy. Clinical implications: Evaluation of es-IgE antibodies in the first year of life is useful for identifying infants who will develop persistent peanut allergy and in whom early treatment should be prioritized.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2025.06.022
The kinetics of early peanut allergy development and resolution in the EAT, LEAP, and PAS cohorts
Background: Little is known about the development and resolution of early peanut allergy (PA). We examined the natural history and biomarkers of PA longitudinally in three cohorts. Methods: PA development was examined in the EAT, LEAP and PAS cohorts. Early PA was defined by skin prick test (SPT) >4mm by 12-months or oral food challenge (OFC) at study entry. PA was confirmed by OFC at study endpoint (36-months for EAT, 60-months for LEAP/PAS). Four groups were defined: early PA development with persistence (EP); early PA development with resolution (ER); late PA development (LA); never peanut allergic (NA). Clinical characteristics and biomarkers were compared between the groups. Results: 56.3% of peanut allergic children developed PA by 12-months; 32.1% had early PA resolution by study endpoint. The rate of early PA resolution was 54.2% in EAT, 41.4% in LEAP and 18.6% in PAS cohorts. Median SPTs for EP, ER and LA were: 6mm, 2mm, 0mm at baseline and 10mm, 0mm, 9mm at study endpoint. Median peanut-sIgE levels for EP, ER and LA were 5.9kUA/L, 0.4kUA/L, 0.3kUA/L (p<0.001) at baseline; 4.7kUA/l, 1.3kUA/L, 0.9kUA/L (p<0.001) at 12-months; and 20.1kUA/L, 0.2kUA/L, 5.1kUA/L (p<0.001) at study endpoint. LA had slower component expansion (number of components Ara h 1-sIgE, Ara h 2-sIgE, Ara h 3-sIgE >0.1kUA/L) compared to EP. ER showed component expansion from baseline to 12-months but component retraction by study endpoint. Absence of eczema and egg allergy, low peanut-sIgE or SPT were predictive of PA resolution. Conclusion: A significant proportion of PA resolves in early childhood. Different phenotypes of PA display different biomarkers trajectories.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2024.10.042
Effect of the Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil versus the Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts on blood pressure and serum lipid indexes among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Background and Aim: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the effects of two Mediterranean (MED) dietary patterns—one supplemented with olive oil and the other with mixed nuts—on blood pressure and lipid profile. Methods and Results: Relevant studies published until April 24, 2024, were thoroughly searched in online databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. The analysis included 21 trials with 25 effect sizes, calculated as standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The findings indicated that the MED diet supplemented with olive oil has no significant effect on lipid indices and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) when contrasted with the MED diet supplemented with mixed nuts. However, the olive oil group had slightly higher systolic blood pressure levels than the mixed nuts group, with a significant p-value of < 0.001. Conclusions: Evidence indicates no significant difference in serum lipid profile and DBP between the MED diet supplemented with olive oil and that with mixed nuts in participants at risk of CVD. However, mixed nuts significantly reduce SBP compared to olive oil. More studies on diverse populations are needed.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104166
Association Between Nut Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults
Objective: Although nuts have been reported to lower the risk of multiple diseases, evidence regarding their effect on metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Asian populations is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the association between nut consumption and the risk of MetS. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). MetS was defined according to the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Responses to a single 24-hour dietary recall from 4,365 younger adults (19-39 years), 7,498 middle-aged adults (40-64 years), and 4,378 older adults (≥65 years) were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: In this study, based on the culinary definition, nuts included tree nuts and peanuts. Approximately 25% of Korean adults were found to consume nuts. After adjusting for confounding variables, including age, body mass index, total energy intake, household income, alcohol consumption, smoking, aerobic exercise, and energy from carbohydrates, nut consumption was associated with a lower risk of MetS among middle-aged men (40-64 years; odds ratio [OR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.88), older men (≥65 years; OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53-0.98), and older women (≥65 years; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53-0.89). Conclusion: These results suggest that consuming nuts may exert protective effects against MetS in middle-aged Korean men and older Korean adults.
https://doi.org/10.12997/jla.2025.14.2.219
Association of nut consumption and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults
Sarcopenia emerges as a predominant health concern among the older adults, it makes the identification of relational factors crucial. Nut, a universally consumed dietary component, is posited to confer benefits to the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed to elucidate the association between nut consumption and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults. Data concerning nut consumption and sarcopenia were sourced from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). The analysis incorporated 14,281 participants furnishing valid responses. This research employed logistic regression to investigate the association between nut consumption and sarcopenia. A total of 14,181 older adults (mean age = 84.86 ± 11.47 years and 55.08% were female) were included in this study. This study found an inverse association between nut consumption and sarcopenia in Chinese older adults, with higher nut consumption associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia, even after controlling for confounders. Compared with the nut consumption group of occasionally/rarely or never, the adjusted ORs of sarcopenia for at least once per month, at least once per week, and almost every day were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.91), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.95), and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.77), respectively. Moreover, the result also displayed there is a significant interaction of nut consumption with gender (P-value = 0.016). This study identified an inverse association between nut consumption and sarcopenia. Introducing nut into the dietary regimen might present an accessible approach to bolster musculoskeletal health among the older adults.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02389-x
Impact of a 12-Week Hypocaloric Weight Loss Diet with Mixed Tree Nuts vs. Pretzels on Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO) Levels in Overweight Adults
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiome metabolite linked to cardiovascular health, can be influenced by dietary factors like choline intake and diet quality. This study compared the effects of mixed tree nuts (MTNs) and pretzels, as part of a 12-week hypocaloric weight loss diet, on TMAO levels and identified dietary predictors. Methods: Plasma samples from 95 overweight individuals consuming either 1.5 oz. of mixed tree nuts (MTNs, n = 56) or isocaloric pretzels (n = 39) daily for 12 weeks were analyzed. Nutritional data were collected at baseline and week 12 through dietary recall using the Automated Self-Administered 24 h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24), and the overall diet quality was assessed via the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score. TMAO levels were determined and analyzed using linear mixed-effect models, adjusting for covariates. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared baseline and week 12 TMAO and weight. Multiple linear regression identified baseline predictors of TMAO. Results: Baseline demographics, anthropometric measures, HEI scores, and dietary choline intake were similar between the MTN and pretzel groups. A significant positive association was observed between baseline dietary choline and plasma TMAO levels (p = 0.012). The 12-week hypocaloric diet led to significant weight reduction in both groups (p < 0.01), but the magnitude of weight loss did not differ significantly between the MTN (−3.47 lbs) and pretzel (−4.25 lbs) groups (p = 0.18). Plasma TMAO levels decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.01), but the between-group difference in reduction was not significant. (MTNs: −0.34 vs. pretzels: −0.37; p = 0.43). HEI scores and dietary choline intake remained unchanged, with no significant time–intervention interaction. Participants with low baseline HEI scores (≤53.72) had a more pronounced reduction in TMAO levels in the MTN group compared to the pretzel group (MTN: −0.54 vs. pretzel: −0.23; p = 0.045) over 12 weeks, despite similar weight loss. This difference was not observed in participants with higher HEI scores. Conclusions: The 12-week hypocaloric diet reduced body weight and plasma TMAO levels similarly in both MTN and pretzel groups. Participants with lower dietary quality saw a greater reduction in TMAO levels in the MTN group, suggesting MTNs may better modulate TMAO levels, especially for those with poorer baseline diets.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132137