Adolescence represents a critical window of metabolic plasticity, during which profound hormonal, neurobiological, and physiological remodelling increases susceptibility to nutritional exposures. In parallel with the rising prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among young people, there is growing interest in the potential for functional food components to modulate epigenetic pathways that govern metabolic programming. This narrative review synthesises current evidence (2015–2025) from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase to elucidate how diet-derived bioactive compounds influence epigenetic regulation relevant to adipogenesis, appetite control, insulin signalling, and lipid homeostasis during adolescence. Particular emphasis is placed on molecular mechanisms, including DNA methylation changes in genes regulating adipocyte differentiation, hypothalamic neuropeptide expression, and pancreatic β-cell function; histone modifications, such as acetylation and methylation events that remodel chromatin accessibility in metabolic tissues; and modulation of microRNA networks implicated in lipid metabolism, inflammatory signalling, and insulin secretion. Furthermore, the review examines the interplay between diet, the gut microbiota, and the epigenome, highlighting the role of microbially derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as endogenous histone deacetylase inhibitors and mediators of epigenetic remodelling in adipose tissue. By linking these mechanisms to specific functional food components, including polyphenols, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, fermentable dietary fibre, and other bioactive molecules, we demonstrate how nutritional signals can counteract maladaptive metabolic trajectories and potentially reduce the intergenerational transmission of metabolic risk. A deeper understanding of these epigenetic effects provides the foundation for developing personalised nutrition strategies aimed at preventing metabolic disorders from emerging during adolescence and beyond.

The vegetation of the cretaceous outcrops of Novhorod-Siverskyi Polesie loess “islands” (Ukraine) and the new locality of Gentiana cruciata L.

The mechanical degradation of land surface and the present state of the loess “islands” plant cover of Chernihiv Polesie (Ukraine)

The purpose of the study. To find out the distribution, syntaxonomic composition and peculiarities of the Chernihiv Polesie loess ”islands” forest vegetation. Methodology. The materials were collected during field research in 2008–2021. The field study of vegetation was carried out using geobotanical methods (169 relevé s). Relevés were carried out on areas of 400–625 m2. The projective coverage of plant communities layers and coverage of all the species was noted. The plant communities were identified and named according to publications on the ecological and floristic classification of vegetation. Scientific novelty. The syntaxonomic composition of the Chernihiv Polesie loess ”islands” forest vegetation was established. The plant communities distribution was clarified. The comparison of the forest vegetation classes representation of the loess “islands” in the Chernihiv Polesie was made. Conclusions. The communities of the Chernihiv Polesie loess ”islands” forest vegetation is represented by 15 associations belonging to 9 unions of the 6 orders of the 6 classes. The ruderal forest nitrophilous communities of the Robinietea Jurko ex Hadač et Sofron 1980 class formed in the places of anti-erosion forest plantings in ravines and gullies. The significant development of the ravines and beam network within the Berezna-Mena-Sosnytsia loess “island” is the reason for the high frequency of of this class associations in it territory. The wetland communities of shrubs (Salicetea purpureae Moor 1958) and trees (Alnetea glutinosae Br.-Bl. et R.Tx. 1943) are present in the rivers floodplains and other lower terrain of all loess “islands”, but most of all - on the territory of the Berezna-Mena-Sosnytsia and Ripky-Chernihiv loess ”islands”. The broad-leaved forests are preserved only in small massifs. They are mainly represented by plant communities belonging to the Carpino-Fagetea sylvaticae Jakucs ex Passarge 1968 and Quercetea robori-petraeae Br.-Bl. ex R.Tx. 1943 classes. The forest-steppe pine forests of the Pyrolo-Pinetea sylvestris Korneck 1974 class rarely occur on loess “islands”. These phytocenoses occupy forest strips and artificial pine plantations on the site of felled broad-leaved forests. In general, the lowest number of the forest vegetation associations is recorded on the territory of the Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky loess “island”. The Sedniv-Tupychiv and Berezna-Mena-Sosnytsia loess “islands” have a similar syntaxonomic richness (the associations number).

Plastic-derived chemical additives, including bisphenols, phthalates, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastic-associated contaminants, are now recognised as widespread environmental toxins that measurably affect endocrine signalling, oxidative balance, inflammation and metabolic homeostasis. Continuous exposure through food contact materials, consumer products, and environmental media raises concerns about long-term health effects. An increasing number of epidemiological and experimental studies are linking these exposures to metabolic disorders, reproductive dysfunction, neurodevelopmental alterations, and increased disease susceptibility throughout the lifespan. This narrative review summarises the latest evidence on the toxicological mechanisms of these compounds, with a focus on endocrine disruption, redox imbalance, reproductive impairment, thyroid hormone dysregulation and epigenetic modifications induced by plastic-derived chemicals. Literature was identified through searches of major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Reference screening was also employed to complement these searches and ensure comprehensive coverage of vertebrate and invertebrate models. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies published within the last 10 years, focusing on experimental, experimental, and translational research. The review evaluates phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones, catechins, sulforaphane, and chlorogenic acid as natural agents that can mitigate the biological effects of plastic-derived toxicants. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and receptor-modulating properties that counteract pathways disrupted by BPA, phthalates, and PFAS. Experimental studies have demonstrated that phytochemicals can modulate oestrogen receptor activity, enhance detoxification systems, reduce oxidative biomarkers and mitigate epigenetic and metabolic alterations induced by micro- and nanoplastics. Emerging nutritional evidence suggests that diets high in polyphenols may reduce the biological impact of plastic-derived contaminants within the body, rather than reducing exposure itself. This effect appears to be especially relevant during sensitive developmental periods, such as the prenatal, early postnatal and adolescent stages.

Aim. To compare the eco-trophic structure of soil nematode communities in the ecosystems of the eu-mesophytic meadows in plots non-invaded and invaded by Solidago canadensis L. Methods. Soil samples from the rhizosphere of native meadow plants and those with S. canadensis were collected in September 2021 in two meadow ecosystems located on the outskirts of the villages Shostovytsia and Ladinka of the Chernihiv region. The nematodes were extracted by a modified Baermann's method from the 20 g samples. The exposure time was 48 h. The extracted nematodes were fixed in the triethanolamine–formalin (TAF, 2 % triethanolamine, 7 % formaldehyde solution, 91 % water), and mounted on the temporary hydroglyceric slides. The nematode abundance was expressed as specimens per 100 g of dry soil. The following parameters were analysed: abundance, taxonomic composition, dominance, trophic structure of soil nematode communities. The taxonomic wealth index, Menhinick's, Berger–Parker indexes, Jaccarda's index of similarity, and the maturity index were also calculated. Results. The average abundance of nematodes in the soil nematode communities was 1,075 individuals/100 g in the rhizosphere of native meadow plants and 636 individuals/100 g in the rhizosphere of S. canadensis. A total of 52 species were identified in the soil of meadow ecosystems: 44 — in the non-invaded plots and 29 — in the invaded plots; Menhinick's diversity index was 1.34 and 1.15, respectively. The taxonomic wealth index of nematode communities in the rhizosphere of native plants was also higher — ST = 116; in the rhizosphere of Canadian goldenrod — ST=84. Such families as Tylenchidae, Cephalobidae, Tylencholaimidae and Panagrolaimidae were more numerous in the soil samples of the native meadow plants (25 %, 18.4 %, 12.9 %, 10.3 % of the total number, respectively). Paratylenchidae, Tylenchidae, Cephalobidae and Aphelenchidae were more numerous in the plots with S. canadensis (37.1 %, 15.1 %, 14.3 %, 10.1 %, respectively). The taxonomic wealth index was higher in non-invaded plots (2.98) than those, invaded by Canadian goldenrod (2.75). The bacterivores and fungivores predominated quantitatively in nematode communities in the rhizosphere of native meadow plants. The proportion in the community amounted to 76.4 %. The plant parasites and fungivores were the most numerous in the plots with S. canadensis. The abundance of nematodes in other tropic groups were limited or not affected. Conclusions. It was determined that the species wealth and abundance, the taxonomic and trophic diversity of soil nematode communities were lower in the plots with the invasion by Canadian goldenrod. The abundance of plant parasites was higher (2.3 times); the ratio of fungivores to bacterivores was also higher in the invaded plots (1.2 times). The maturity index was lower in the invaded plots compared to the non-invaded ones (2.1 and 2.4) which demonstrates a more disturbed environmental conditions in the plots of the meadow with the invasion of the S. canadensis. The studies emphasize the need to monitor invasive species and develop strategies for their control in order to preserve soil biodiversity and support sustainable grassland management.