Browse Articles

Taxes to red and processed meat to promote sustainable and healthy diets in Mexico

Background Consumption of red and processed meat is above sustainable and healthy dietary targets in Mexico. Policies to promote greater adherence such as taxing meat are needed to reduce consumption. Here, we evaluated how price increases to red and processed meat could shift consumption for meat as well as other key food groups. Methods Using data from the Mexican National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (2018, 2020, 2022), we estimated own- and cross-price elasticities of demand for 10 food groups. These were used to predict changes in quantity demanded of each food group according to price increase scenarios. Results Price increases to meat increased demand for substitutes such as fruits and vegetables, legumes, poultry, and seafood, and reduced demand for salty snacks, sweets and sugary beverages. Substantial increases to the price of processed meat markedly reduced processed meat consumption, increased consumption of protein- and nutrient-rich foods, and resulted in more modest levels of red meat consumption. Lower-income groups were more sensitive to price increases but still met dietary recommendations for meat and substituted these foods with alternatives such as legumes and seafood. Conclusions Increasing the price of red and processed meat through a tax may promote greater adherence to sustainable and healthy dietary targets in Mexico. It simultaneously increased demand for healthier substitutes, and reduced demand for unhealthy complements. Substantially raising the price of processed meat only may be an effective strategy for addressing diet-related risk factors, while delivering environmental benefits. Additionally, meat taxes have the potential to promote improvements in diet quality and equitable health outcomes.

Evolutionary unpredictability in cancer model systems

Abstract Despite the advent of advanced molecular prognostic tools, it is still difficult to predict the course of disease for cancer patients at the individual level. This lack of predictability is also reflected in many experimental cancer model systems, begging the question of whether certain biological aspects of cancer (eg. growth, evolution etc.) can ever be anticipated or if there remains an inherent unpredictability to cancer, similar to other complex biological systems. We demonstrate by a combination of agent-based mathematical modelling, analysis of patient-derived xenograft model systems from multiple cancer types, and in-vitro culture that certain conditions increase stochasticity of the clonal landscape of cancer growth. Our findings indicate that under those conditions, the cancer genome may behave as a complex dynamic system, making its long-term evolution inherently unpredictable.

Inhibitory effects of a hot-water extract of cumin fruit on influenza A virus infection

The influenza A virus (IAV) is an extremely contagious virus responsible for both seasonal flu and global pandemics. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L., family Apiaceae) is a spice widely used in numerous Asian nations. The cumin fruit, commonly termed ‘cumin seed’, has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments; however, its effect on IAV is not completely understood. This study investigated the effect of cumin fruit hot-water extract (CWE) on IAV infection. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were infected with IAV (H1N1) and used for in vitro experiments. Pre-infection treatment of the target cells with CWE suppressed M1 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner, whereas post-infection treatment had no such effect. CWE at concentrations of 12.5 µg/mL or higher also inhibited IAV-induced haemagglutination and clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Even, a plaque formation assay was also conducted to confirm the efficacy of CWE on virus replication. The assay results showed that CWE significantly reduced IAV replication. However, the expression of type I interferon (IFN) and IFN-stimulated antiviral protein genes was not affected by CWE in the virus-infected cells. Furthermore, the presence of cuminaldehyde in CWE was examined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cuminaldehyde was not detected in the CWE used in this study. Moreover, cells that were pre-treated with a cuminaldehyde standard did not show any inhibition of IAV infection. The current in vitro study showed that CWE inhibited IAV infection without harming host cells. Thus, CWE may be used to prevent IAV infections by limiting viral attachment and absorption.

Correction: TERT-TP53 mutations: a novel biomarker pair for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and prognosis

Optimising access to vocational rehabilitation through multiple sclerosis charities: Protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial

Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often leave the workforce prematurely due to MS symptoms and difficulties managing workplace relationships and performance. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) can improve job retention outcomes for people with MS, but there is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions. Methods A multicentre, feasibility, parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing a job retention VR intervention plus usual care (n = 30) with usual care alone (n = 30). This study includes an embedded mixed-methods process evaluation. People with MS, aged 18–65 years, in paid employment will be recruited from MS charities. Participants with MS will be able to include their employers in the intervention to receive information about MS and employment. The intervention involves an initial interview and up to 10 hours of employment support for people with MS and up to four hours of support for employers, over six months. Employees from MS charities will be recruited and trained to deliver the MSVR intervention. Participants will be followed up by postal/telephone/online questionnaires at 6-, 9-, and 12-months post-randomisation. The aim is to ascertain the feasibility and acceptability of delivering the intervention within MS charities, and to determine parameters for future trial and explore the acceptability of the study intervention and procedures. Discussion This novel study will provide insight into how existing services from MS charities can fill a service gap by providing employment support to people with MS. Findings will inform the design of a future fully powered RCT. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06966115 .

Positive regulation of root-knot nematode control in Capsicum through bioactive compounds derived from plant seeds cake

Abstract Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a significant problem for farmers worldwide, leading to yield losses. Several conventional strategies, such as artificial nematocides, have been used in the past to control PPNs in pepper plants. In an in vivo trial aimed at reducing root-knot nematodes, (RKNs) Meloidogyne incognita communities in soil and root infestation, certain plant seed cake (PSC) was evaluated for its potential use. In this study, four PSCs were used to manage PPNs: black seed, jojoba, olive, and jatropha. These PSCs relatively inhibited nematode reproduction and promoted pepper plant health. Notably, black seed and jojoba were the most effective toxic PSC against RKNs, M. incognita, especially targeting the second-stage J2s in soil. For example, treatment with black seed at both 15 and 30 g rates, as well as jojoba at 15 g rate, was consistently effective in reducing the final nematode population. Growth parameters, including shoot and root weight and length, as well as the number of leaves, were measured. The results showed that black seed at 30 g and jojoba at 15 g significantly increased shoot weight, followed by black seed at 15 g, with corresponding values of 75.89 g, 47.86 g, and 45.9 g, respectively. According to GC-MS analysis, the mode of action of these PSC may involve natural active compounds capable of killing or inhibiting nematode communities. The GC-MS analysis of jatropha seeds cake showed remarkable bioactive compounds, including D-Psicofuranose, pentakis (trimethylsilyl) ether (isomer 2); 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid; 2-((2-Methyl-1-oxa-4-azaspiro [4.4]non-4yl) carbonyl) cyclopropane carboxylic acid and 1 H-Indene, 2,3-dihydro-4-propyl. These compounds have antimicrobial, insecticidal, anti-nematodal, and antiviral activities confirming their potential as natural biopesticides.

A mixture of ginger phenolic compounds enhances mitochondrial function, activates AMPK, and reduces lipid accumulation in adipocytes

Mitochondrial abundance and activity in adipocytes are critical for adequate adipose tissue function and whole-body energy homeostasis. Mitochondrial dysfunction in adipocytes impairs lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and thermogenesis, leading to metabolic diseases. Enhancing mitochondrial function and density in adipose tissue may provide a promising therapeutic approach for metabolic diseases. This study evaluates the effects of a ginger phenol mixture on mitochondrial density and function, AMPK activation, lipid droplet content, and lipolysis markers in adipocytes differentiated in vitro. Pre-adipocytes isolated from the inguinal adipose tissue of Wistar rats were differentiated and assigned to three experimental groups: vehicle (0.2% DMSO), gingerol mixture (6 μg/mL), and positive control (1 mmol/m3 AMPK activator 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside). Mitochondrial density and lipid content were assessed by MitoTracker and Bodipy staining respectively, while mitochondrial respiration was evaluated in an Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Protein abundance and basal lipolysis were evaluated by Western blotting and free fatty acids determination in supernatant, respectively. The gingerol mixture significantly enhanced mitochondrial density and respiration, including both maximal and ATP-linked capacities. Additionally, it activated AMPK, upregulated the expression of mitochondrial complexes, enhanced lipolysis markers, and reduced lipid droplet content. These findings suggest that the gingerol mixture enhances mitochondrial function, stimulates lipolysis, and reduces lipid accumulation in adipocytes, contributing to metabolic homeostasis in adipose tissue. This highlights its potential use as a complementary therapeutic agent for the management of obesity.

Beyond planar: fish schools adopt ladder formations in 3D

Response study of tower crane and elastic plate under dynamic complicated excitation

Structural vibration will inevitably occur under the dynamic complicated excitations in tower crane and elastic plate system. The continuous nonlinear vibration would lead to the deterioration of the coupling state of the responses of the tower crane and the elastic plate system. This, in turn, impacts the operational stability and reduces the service life of components. Consequently, there has been scant research on response calculation of the structure in a tower crane and elastic plate system when considering such dynamic and complex excitations. To address this gap, this paper employs a spatially coupled dynamics model of the tower crane and the plate, covering the acceleration stage, the constant speed stage, and then the deceleration stage. This model incorporates typical air resistance, the Lagrange equation, and the calculation equations based on the Reissner plate theory. Additionally, emergency braking, regarded as a type of fault, is taken into account in the dynamic model. The present model is solved numerically. The feasibility of the model is validated by comparing the measured responses of the dynamic coupling model with the experimental ones. An extensive analysis is conducted on the influence of different braking times on the dynamic response. The analysis reveals that if the emergency braking time exceeds 1.5 seconds, the vibration of the plate and tower crane system is minimal. The Kurtosis Value, Factor Value, and Skewness Value exhibit high sensitivity to the dynamic responses of the plate and the swing angles. The Frequency Center demonstrates high sensitivity to the swing angle, while the Root Mean Square Frequency and Frequency Standard Deviation show high sensitivity to the plate vibration.

Ultrathin monolithic bimorph mirror using polarization-inverted lithium niobate wafer

Retraction: Effect of co-encapsulation using white and red onion peel extract on the viability and stability of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus under stressful conditions

Isotopes, herds, and landscape management practices: New insights on early farming communities in the Serpis Valley (Eastern Iberian Peninsula)

The establishment of the first livestock communities in the eastern Iberian Peninsula during the 6th millennium cal BCE marked a significant transition in the region’s economic system. The research of early animal management practices provides crucial valuable understanding into feeding and pastoral strategies, revealing insights into the social organization of landscapes and their resources. Using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic analyses of faunal remains this study investigates the interplay between environmental conditions, animal management practices, and dietary habits in Neolithic herds from Mas d’Is and Niuet sites in the Serpis Valley. The landscape of the area, characterized by Mediterranean forests and marshes, provided a variety of plant resources. Although most of the valley is covered by C3 types of plants, there were some clusters of C4 vegetation. The isotopic analyses prove that the local herds can be disaggregated in two groups: some animals with a diet based on C3, some feeding on C4 plants. These results reveal diverse feeding strategies and, by default, spatialized management practices. In addition, the animals presenting a C3 signature, have, as well, strong nitrogen values and marks on the bones that indicate they were part of the agricultural cycle as traction force. This complex organisational strategy, with two herds that show different levels of husbandry intensification, might reflect broader socio-economic systems, where the landscape may have been managed with a mosaic of different property regimes: where marginal areas might have been considered as communal or open-access resources, while more fertile areas nearby settlements, might have been used as crop fields, and individually or household managed. The integration of livestock into agricultural systems and the selective use of landscape resources highlight an adaptive and dynamic approach to animal husbandry in response to environmental and social factors during the Neolithic in the Serpis Valley.

Application of video surveillance in preclinical safety studies in canines: Understanding the interobserver reliability and validity to recognize clinical behavior

Preclinical in vivo studies are critical to identify potential adverse effects of drugs under development. However, a significant number of drug candidates are terminated during human clinical trials due to unexpected adverse events which were not predicted or detected in preclinical studies. Video surveillance can be a valuable tool to reduce the risk of missing and/or misclassifying adverse clinical observations (COs) in animals. To explore the applicability of detecting COs on video, the agreement between observers (reliability) and agreement between observers and experts (construct validity) of 13 important COs was evaluated. The reliability was investigated by evaluating the interobserver agreement between 23 observers with different experience levels and primary roles on defined COs and normal behavior, recorded on video during preclinical studies in canines. The validity was investigated by comparing the observers’ assessments to the ground truth confirmed by three experts. This investigation showed a substantial reliability and validity of the observers’ assessments without significant differences between experience levels or primary roles. Normal behavior was challenging to recognize (56% correct), while half of the COs appeared straightforward to identify with a validity of ≥ 90%: salivation, aggressiveness, circling, vomiting, head shaking and convulsions. Other COs were more challenging to detect with lowest scores for limb stiff/hypertonia, tremors and excitation. Regardless of experience-level, observers missed very few COs. This investigation showed the complexity when multiple COs occurred simultaneously, as well as the limitations of differentiating between visually similar COs (tremors vs. twitches; limping vs. limb stiff) on video without the possibility of in-person observation. Given the substantial overall reliability and validity, it is concluded that clinical canine behavior can be accurately detected on video by trained observers. This permits more objective and quantifiable monitoring of animal behavior and application of computer vision for future automatic monitoring of canine studies.

Research on atmospheric temperature change and its adaptive strategies in winter wheat and summer maize dual-cropping region of North China Plain during 1961–2021—A case study of Jiaozuo City in Henan Province

Global warming has caused the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in agriculture. Therefore, research on temperature changes in major grain-producing areas is essential for formulating adaptation strategy. This article takes Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, China as the research area. Based on daily maximum, minimum and mean temperatures from seven meteorological stations for the period 1961–2021, the comprehensive indications of temperature changes were analyzed using the linear tendency estimation, Mann-Kendall test, and levels fluctuation. Fourteen climate indices in four classes, including the mean temperature index, absolute extreme temperature index, relative extreme temperature index, and disaster temperature index, were applied. The results indicated four aspects. Firstly, the average regional warming speed was 0.259°C/10a—slightly lower than the national average, and the years of the highest and lowest values were 2021 and 1984, respectively. Secondly, the daily minimum and maximum temperatures increased significantly, which were 0.395°C/10a and 0.200°C/10a respectively—less than the national mean. The relevant low temperature index showed proper decreasing trend while the diurnal range of annual extreme temperature showed fluctuating—decreasing first and then increasing. Thirdly, the relevant e high temperature indices of plain urban area were larger while the relevant low temperature indices of mountain hilly area were smaller. The relative high temperature indices showed an increasing trend while the relevant low temperature indices tended to decrease. Fourthly, high temperature disasters generally declined before the 1980s and increased thereafter; low temperature disasters showed a decreasing trend overall. This study suggests that in the two-cropping regions of winter wheat and summer maize, attention should be paid to the increasing trend of high-temperature days. Additionally, heat-tolerant varieties should be cultivated to expand the planting area of maize for adapting to increasing drought disasters induced by high temperature, as well as to establish an agricultural disaster-risk mechanism for addressing high temperature meteorological disasters.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx)-mediated immune modulation and prognostic model development in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) is critical in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, but its influence on tumor immunity and the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. This study aimed to construct a prognostic model based on HBx-related genes and explore their relationship with immune infiltration and immunotherapy response. Through transcriptome sequencing of our HBx-expressing HepG2 cells and analysis of HCC patient data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and genotype-tissue expression (GTEx), we identified seven HBx-related genes, nuclear VCP-like (NVL), WD repeat domain 75 (WDR75), NOP58 nucleolar protein (NOP58), Brix domain-containing protein 1 (BRIX1), deoxynucleotidyltransferase terminal interacting protein 2 (DNTTIP2), MKI67 FHA domain interacting nucleolar phosphoprotein (NIFK), and ribosome production factor 2 (RPF2), associated with poor prognosis. LASSO Cox regression narrowed these to four key genes (BRIX1, RPF2, DNTTIP2, and WDR75), which were used to develop a prognostic riskscore signature. High-risk patients exhibited lower survival rates, decreased infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells, poorer responses to immunotherapy, and increased immune evasion. Among the four genes, DNTTIP2 showed higher expression in single-cell data, was linked to migration inhibitory factor (MIF) signaling, and may play a pivotal role in shaping an immunosuppressive TME. Elevated DNTTIP2 expression was confirmed in HBx-expressing HepG2 cells and HBV-infected HCC samples. This study highlights a novel HBx-related four-gene prognostic model that predicts clinical outcomes, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy response, offering insights into HCC progression and potential therapeutic targets.

Multimodal MRI radiomics based on habitat subregions of the tumor microenvironment for predicting risk stratification in glioblastoma

Objective Accurate prediction of glioblastoma (GBM) progression is essential for improving therapeutic interventions and outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate an integrated clinical-radiomics model to predict overall survival (OS) and evaluate the risk of disease progression in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype GBM (IDH-wildtype GBM). Materials and Methods The data of 423 IDH-wildtype GBM patients were retrospectively analyzed. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperatively acquired MR images. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-Cox proportional hazards (LASSO-Cox) regression was used to identify radiomic features significantly associated with OS and calculate a risk score and construct a radiomic signature for each patient. Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test were used to compare survival between the high-risk and low-risk groups. A clinical‒radiomic model and a nomogram were developed on the basis of the results of multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression and were evaluated with the concordance index (C-index). Results Radiomics models were developed on the basis of feature extracted from the three sub-regions individually, and a multiregional radiomics model was established by aggregating 16 features selected from these subregions. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the high-risk group exhibited significantly worse outcomes than the low-risk group did (p < 0.05). The C-index of the multiregional radiomics model was the highest. Univariable Cox regression analysis revealed that the risk score, age, and extent of gross total resection (GTR) were significant prognostic factors for OS in GBM patients. According to the C-index, the combined clinical‒radiomic model outperformed the standalone radiomic and clinical models. The multifactor nomogram showed high accuracy in predicting the OS rates of preclinical GBM patients at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years in both the training and test cohorts. Conclusions The integrated model combining clinicopathological data with a radiomic signature achieves good risk stratification and survival prediction in GBM and thus could be an important tool in clinical practice.

Data-driven mechanisms for network freight platforms: An evolutionary game perspective

This paper examines the impact of data-driven mechanisms in network freight platforms. The main objective is to understand how these mechanisms can improve operational efficiency and encourage cooperation among key stakeholders, including a risk-neutral shipper, a loss-averse carrier and network freight platform. The study uses evolutionary game theory to model the interactions between these parties. Numerical simulations are conducted to evaluate the effects of initial conditions and important parameters on cooperation. The results show that consistent implementation of data-driven mechanisms fosters stable and honest cooperation. Key factors, such as subsidies, penalties for dishonest behavior, the likelihood of detecting dishonesty, and incentives for honest actions, motivate carriers and shippers to participate in fair transactions. Additionally, specific costs are identified as deterrents to dishonest practices. These findings contribute to our understanding of digital transformation and provide valuable insights for enhancing resilience and collaboration within network freight platforms. The risk appetite can obviously influence the decision of the three parties. The study also highlights important implications for policymakers and industry practitioners, emphasizing the importance of effective data governance and the strategic use of information to shape the future of freight logistics.

Using smartphone step counts to monitor patients with total hip arthroplasty: The impact of patients’ living arrangements and residential location

Background Smartphone step counts may capture real-world activities in patients’ daily lives, and the self-monitoring of step counts may introduce healthier behavioral changes. We investigated the association between living arrangements (solitude/cohabiting) and residential location (urban/suburban) of patients and their preoperative and postoperative smartphone step counts following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Materials and methods Patients scheduled for THA at a university hospital from September 10, 2021, to December 5, 2023 were enrolled into the study from August 4, 2021, to November 10, 2023. We remotely monitored the patients’ daily step counts from smartphone application until up to 365 days after THA. We used the moving average method and latent growth curve modeling to analyze the time-series data of the step count. Results Overall, 85 patients were included in this study. Comparing the 37 solitary and 48 cohabiting patients, the percentage of men was higher in the solitary group (27% vs. 8%, P = 0.037). There were no notable differences in the demographics between the 44 urban and 41 suburban patients. Urban patients experienced a 483-step per 2-week greater preoperative increase than suburban patients (P = 0.027) after adjusting for confounding factors. From postoperative 2 weeks to preoperative 12 weeks, the intercept was larger for urban patients than for suburban patients by 893 steps (P = 0.040). From postoperative 20 weeks to preoperative 50 weeks, the intercept was larger for solitary patients than for cohabiting patients by a difference of 1,360 steps (P = 0.027). Conclusions Living arrangements and residential locations were associated with daily step counts before and after THA. Patients in urban areas had higher step counts after the initiation of step-count monitoring and during the early postoperative period. Solitary patients walked more than cohabiting patients. Our findings underscore the utility of smartphone step counts as objective outcome measures for patient assessment and encouraging healthier behavioral changes.

Effects of DA-9701 (motilitone®) on gastric emptying, glycemic control, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats

Background/aims Diabetes is associated with various gastrointestinal disorders, including altered gastric emptying, which may be rapid, slow, or transient. These alterations can significantly influence gastrointestinal symptoms and directly influence blood glucose levels. DA-9701 (motilitone), a prokinetic agent derived from Corydalis tuber and Pharbitis seed, is employed in Korea to manage functional dyspepsia due to its anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal motility-enhancing properties. This study aims to investigate the potential of DA-9701 in addressing altered gastric emptying and glycemic control in diabetic rats, thereby validating its broader clinical utility. Materials/methods Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by streptozocin injection (65 mg/kg, i.p.). Following the onset of diabetes, rats received daily oral administration of DA-9701 for 2 weeks. Gastric emptying rates for liquid and solid meals were measured using plasma acetaminophen levels and residual food mass, respectively. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), insulin levels, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], Ogg1, Gpx, Cat) were assessed. Western blotting and qPCR were used to evaluate the expression of ERK1/2, c-Kit, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in gastric tissue. Results Diabetic rats exhibited significantly accelerated gastric emptying (liquid GE AUC: + 45.2%; solid GE: + 23.1%, p < 0.01) and elevated blood glucose (327.4 ± 22.8 mg/dL vs. 96.2 ± 10.1 mg/dL in controls, p < 0.001), accompanied by increased oxidative stress markers and expression of c-Kit, ERK1/2, and PCNA. DA-9701 treatment normalized gastric emptying rates (solid GE restored to 55.8%, p < 0.05), reduced MDA, Ogg1, Gpx, and Cat expression, and significantly downregulated ERK1/2, c-Kit, and PCNA. Moreover, insulin secretion increased 2.1-fold in DA-9701-treated diabetic rats (p < 0.05), resulting in improved glucose tolerance (OGTT AUC reduction: −24.6%, p < 0.01). Conclusion DA-9701 normalized gastric emptying and glycemic control while reducing the expression of ERK1/2, c-Kit, and PCNA, which are elevated in diabetic gastric tissues. These findings highlight the dual therapeutic potential of DA-9701 in regulating both gastrointestinal motility and glycemic variability in diabetes, warranting further investigation in clinical settings.

Comparison of machine learning and validation methods for high-dimensional accelerometer data to detect foot lesions in dairy cattle

Lameness is one of the major production diseases affecting dairy cattle. It is associated with negative welfare in affected cattle, economic losses at the farm level, and adverse effects on sustainability. Prompt identification of lameness is necessary to facilitate early treatment, enhance animal welfare, and mitigate short and long-term production impacts associated with the disease. In recent years, automated detection systems have emerged as a potential solution for identifying early signs of lameness. Among these systems, accelerometers have been widely adopted, as they continuously capture data on animal movement. Analyzing accelerometer data is challenging due to its wide, high-dimensional structure as it has many features and typically much fewer animals or samples, reducing the utility of many machine learning (ML) models and increasing the risk of overfitting. To handle this, researchers often summarize accelerometer data into indices like step counts, which simplifies analysis but may sacrifice important details needed for accurate prediction of lameness. Dimension reduction techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and functional principal component analysis (fPCA), offer solutions by reducing the dimensionality of the data while retaining key information and allowing for the application of a broader set of ML approaches. Using data containing 20 thousand recordings from 383 dairy cows in 11 dairy herds, this study evaluated the effectiveness of ML methods in detecting foot lesions in dairy cows using accelerometer data, with a focus on dimensionality reduction approaches and cross-validation strategies. Our study offers practical insights for the dairy industry by highlighting the potential benefits of combining dimensionality reduction with cross-validation strategies to improve the performance of ML methods applied to wide accelerometer data. In addition, our study highlights the impact and importance of using data from independent farms. A by-farm approach to cross-validation will likely give a more robust, realistic estimate of general model performance.