Aphid control often relies on synthetic pesticides, but their overuse has raised concerns about resistance development and negative impact on wildlife and human health. Consequently, the search for new biopesticide agents has gained significant attention. Nemertide alpha-1, a peptide toxin from the marine nemertean worm Lineus longissimus (Gunnerus, 1770), is known for its pesticide activity but has less documented biological safety. This study investigates the aphid feeding deterrence and biological safety of the experimental biopesticide nemertide alpha-1. Nemertide alpha-1 demonstrated a clear dose-dependent repellent effect on the penetration behaviour of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae, Sulzer). It also demonstrates bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects in an MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) assay, respectively, on E. coli (MIC: 112.5 µM) and S. aureus (MIC: 28.4 µM). In a bacterial liposome leakage assay, nemertide alpha-1 exhibits a less pronounced effect than the melittin control (20% maximum leakage at 100 µM), strengthening the hypothesis on the specificity of its neurotoxic mode of action. It is not toxic to mammalian cell U-937 GTB with only a slight decline in the percentage of survival at the highest concentration tested (80 µM). Finally, nemertide alpha-1 displays thermal stability over time for four weeks in three different conditions: cold (6 °C), room temperature (20–24 °C), and physiological temperature (37 °C). Nemertide alpha-1 deters green peach aphid feeding in the low micromolar range and exhibits low antimicrobial properties and very low toxicity to human cells. Its potential utility is further underscored by thermal stability over time.

We recently discovered and characterized a novel family of peptide toxins, the alpha-nemertides, from the marine ribbon worm Lineus longissimus. These 31-residue peptides show potent neurotoxicity against invertebrate voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels, making them promising candidates for biopesticide development. To explore structure-activity relationships, we synthesized 20 nemertide alpha-1 mutants (17 alanine, 3 lysine substitutions) to identify residues critical for activity and selectivity. Key positions, including S12, T17, N19, W22, and F24, were found to influence activity on Nav channels significantly. Notably, the S12A mutant showed high selectivity for invertebrate Navs, suggesting its potential as a selective tool or lead scaffold. Our findings highlight critical interaction points likely to be involved in binding to site 3 of domain IV on Nav channels and demonstrate how targeted modifications can sharpen selectivity. These insights support the rational design of more selective peptides and identify S12A as a promising candidate for further development as a biopesticide.

Peptide toxins from marine invertebrates have found use as drugs and in biotechnological applications. Many marine habitats, however, remain underexplored for natural products, and the Southern Ocean is among them. Here, we report toxins from one of the top predators in Antarctic waters: the nemertean worm Parborlasia corrugatus (McIntosh, 1876). Transcriptome mining revealed a total of ten putative toxins with a cysteine pattern similar to that of alpha nemertides, four nemertide-beta-type sequences, and two novel full-length parborlysins. Nemertean worms express toxins in the epidermal mucus. Here, the expression was determined by liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The findings include a new type of nemertide, 8750 Da, containing eight cysteines. In addition, we report the presence of six cysteine-containing peptides. The toxicity of tissue extracts and mucus fractions was tested in an Artemia assay. Notably, significant activity was observed both in tissue and the high-molecular-weight mucus fraction, as well as in a parborlysin fraction. Membrane permeabilization experiments display the membranolytic activity of some peptides, most prominently the parborlysin fraction, with an estimated EC50 of 70 nM.

In this study, a developed co-simulation method, which couples 1D-fluidand 3D-structural models, has been utilised to simulate wear in a hydraulic percussion unit. The effect of wear is generally detrimental on performance and lifetime for such units, but can also cause catastrophic failure and breakdown, requiring a total overhaul and replacement of core components. One experiment of standard straight impact was performed to investigate the tolerance against seizure. The percussion unit was operated at successively increasing operating pressures, and the level of wear was registered at each step, until seizure occurred. The co-simulation model was used to replicate the running conditions from the experiment to simulate the structural response to be used as input for the wear routine to calculate the wear depth. The wear pattern from the simulations corresponds well to the wear pattern from the experiment. Further, the effect of a misaligned impact on wear development was also studied, as this is a loading situation that typically occurs for hydraulic percussion units. The study demonstrates that the simulation method used has a potential for simulating wear and predicting seizure in hydraulic percussion units.

The work presented in this dissertation has

Peptide toxins find use in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. They are exploited as pharmaceutical tools, particularly for the investigation of ion channels. Here, we report the synthesis and activity of a novel family of peptide toxins: the cystine-knotted α nemertides. Following the prototypic α-1 and -2 (1 and 2), six more nemertides were discovered by mining of available nemertean transcriptomes. Here, we describe their synthesis using solid phase peptide chemistry and their oxidative folding by using an improved protocol. Nemertides α-2 to α-7 (2-7) were produced to characterize their effect on voltage-gated sodium channels (Blatella germanica BgNaV1 and mammalian NaVs1.1-1.8). In addition, ion channel activities were matched to in vivo tests using an Artemia microwell assay. Although nemertides demonstrate high sequence similarity, they display variability in activity on the tested NaVs. The nemertides are all highly toxic to Artemia, with EC50 values in the sub-low micromolar range, and all manifest preference for the insect BgNaV1 channel. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed key residues for NaV-subtype selectivity. Combined with low EC50 values (e.g., NaV1.1: 7.9 nM (α-6); NaV1.3: 9.4 nM (α-5); NaV1.4: 14.6 nM (α-4)) this underscores the potential utility of α-nemertides for rational optimization to improve selectivity.

In this study, a previously developed co-simulation method has been expanded to also simulate the dynamic behaviour of sealing gap regions in hydraulic percussion units. This approach is based on a 1D system model representing the fluid components and a 3D finite element model representing the structural parts of a hydraulic hammer. The sealing gap is a fundamental feature of a percussion unit, where the reciprocating motion of the piston is generated by the valve mechanism of the sealing gap. When the gap is closed it will prevent fluid flow between regions of different pressure levels. However, a small leakage flow through the gap will always occur which size depends on the clearance and the position of the piston. The method proposed here will take the structural motion and deformation into consideration when calculating the leakage flow. The deformed state of the structure is approximated by a cylindrical surface, in a least square manner, and communicated through the co-simulation interface to the fluid simulation module, and then used when calculating the leakage flow. This method aims at a more accurate simulation of the leakage flow that will not only yield a more realistic description of the mechanism on the local level, but also a more accurate estimation of global parameters such as overall performance and efficiency. The results indicate that the simulated leakage flow will decrease when dynamic gaps are used in comparison to static gaps, which is a consequence of the deformed structure that will generate smaller clearances. The leakage flow for the dynamic gaps will even be lower than for the static perfectly concentric case, mainly due to the reduction of clearances. The results also indicate that the dynamic eccentricity does not have a major influence on the leakage flow. The outcome from this study highlights the potentials of the described co-simulation approach for analysing the dynamics of the sealing gaps in a hydraulic percussion unit (i.e. gap heights, eccentricity ratios, etc.) including the evaluation of leakage flows and its impact on the overall performance.

Head-to-tail cyclic and disulfide-rich peptides are natural products with applications in drug design. Among these are the PawS-Derived Peptides (PDPs) produced in seeds of the daisy plant family. PDP-23 is a unique member of this class in that it is twice the typical size and adopts two β-hairpins separated by a hinge region. The β-hairpins - both stabilised by a single disulfide bond - fold together into a V-shaped tertiary structure creating a hydrophobic core. In water two PDP-23 molecules merge their hydrophobic cores to form a square prism quaternary structure. Here, we synthesised PDP-23 and its enantiomer comprising all D-amino acids, which allowed us to confirm these solution NMR structural data by racemic crystallography. Furthermore, we discovered the related PDP-24. NMR analysis showed that PDP-24 does not form a dimeric structure and it has poor water solubility, but in less polar solvents adopts near identical secondary and tertiary structure to PDP-23. The natural role of these peptides in plants remains enigmatic, as we did not observe any antimicrobial or insecticidal activity. However, the plasticity of these larger PDPs and their ability to change structure under different conditions make them appealing peptide drug scaffolds.

Earlier studies have implied a change in dietary habits of the Swedish population towards a low carbohydrate, high fat diet. Questions have been raised about the development in recent years and potential health effects. We have investigated the dietary intake of Swedish female students enrolled in a university nutrition course between 2002 and 2017. The students carried out self-reporting of all food and drink intake over one weekday and one weekend day. Intake of macronutrients (E%) and micronutrients were calculated for the whole period while statistical analysis was performed for changes between 2009 and 2017 (729 women). Results showed significant changes in carbohydrate intake (from 47.0 to 41.4 E%) and fat intake (from 31.7 to 37.5 E%). Carbohydrate intake was significantly lower than the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (45-60 E%). However, daily fiber intake remains high (3.0 g/MJ) in a national context, and intake of vitamin D and folate appears to increase during the period. The results suggest that the observed national transition from carbohydrate to fat intake persists, and that it might be especially evident among individuals interested in food and nutrition. Considering the fiber and micronutrient intake, the change is not necessarily unfavorable for this particular group.

Peptide toxins from the Antarctica: the nemertean predator and scavenger Parborlasia corrugatus

Most ribbon worms (phylum: Nemertea) are found in marine environments, where they act as predators and scavengers. They are characterized by an eversible proboscis that isused to hunt for prey and thick mucus covering their skin. Both proboscis and epidermal mucus mediate toxicity to predators and preys. Research into the chemical nature of the substances that render toxicity has not been extensive, but it has nevertheless led to the identification of several compounds of potential medicinal use or for application in biotechnology. This review provides a complete account of the current status of research into nemertean toxins.

Molecular imprinting provides a useful complement to the use of biomolecules for thedevelopment of sensors for the analysis of trace substances on account of their highlyselective recognition characteristics. Moreover, the stabilities make them ideal for use inapplications not normally suitable for the use of biomolecules. The nature of the techniqueand its use in a number of analysis formats suitable for use in environmental monitoring arepresented.

Eliminating microscopic residual disease with α-particle radiation is theoretically appealing. After extensive preclinical work with α-particle-emitting 211At, we performed a phase I trial with intraperitoneal α-particle therapy in epithelial ovarian cancer using 211At conjugated to MX35, the antigen-binding fragments-F(ab')2-of a mouse monoclonal antibody. We now present clinical outcome data and toxicity in a long-term follow-up with individual absorbed dose estimations. Methods: Twelve patients with relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer, achieving a second complete or nearly complete response with chemotherapy, received intraperitoneal treatment with escalating (20-215 MBq/L) activity concentrations of 211At-MX35 F(ab')2.Results: The activity concentration was escalated to 215 MBq/L without any dose-limiting toxicities. Most toxicities were low-grade and likely related to the treatment procedure, not clearly linked to the α-particle irradiation, with no observed hematologic toxicity. One grade 3 fatigue and 1 grade 4 intestinal perforation during catheter implantation were observed. Four patients had a survival of more than 6 y, one of whom did not relapse. At progression, chemotherapy was given without signs of reduced tolerability. Overall median survival was 35 mo, with a 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-y survival of 100%, 83%, 50%, and 25%, respectively. Calculations of the absorbed doses showed that a lower specific activity is associated with a lower single-cell dose, whereas a high specific activity may result in a lower central dose in microtumors. Individual differences in absorbed dose to possible microtumors were due to variations in administered activity and the specific activity. Conclusion: No apparent signs of radiation-induced toxicity or decreased tolerance to relapse therapy were observed. The dosimetric calculations show that further optimization is advisable to increase the efficacy and reduce possible long-term toxicity.

Zoologica ScriptaVolume 48, Issue 1 p. 118-119 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Nemertean taxonomy—Implementing changes in the higher ranks, dismissing Anopla and Enopla Malin Strand, Corresponding Author Malin Strand malin.strand@slu.se orcid.org/0000-0002-8144-9592 Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden Correspondence Malin Strand, Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Email: malin.strand@slu.seSearch for more papers by this authorJon Norenburg, Jon Norenburg Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, District of ColumbiaSearch for more papers by this authorJosé E. Alfaya, José E. Alfaya LARBIM-IBIOMAR (CCT CONICET—CENPAT) & Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Puerto Madryn, ArgentinaSearch for more papers by this authorFernando Ángel Fernández-Álvarez, Fernando Ángel Fernández-Álvarez Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Barcelona, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorHåkan S Andersson, Håkan S Andersson Department of Chemistry & Biomedical Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorSonia C. S. Andrade, Sonia C. S. Andrade Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorThomas Bartolomaeus, Thomas Bartolomaeus Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorPatrick Beckers, Patrick Beckers Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorGregorio Bigatti, Gregorio Bigatti LARBIM-IBIOMAR (CCT CONICET—CENPAT) & Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Puerto Madryn, ArgentinaSearch for more papers by this authorIrina Cherneva, Irina Cherneva Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorAlexey Chernyshev, Alexey Chernyshev National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorBrian M. Chung, Brian M. Chung Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UtahSearch for more papers by this authorJörn von Döhren, Jörn von Döhren Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorGonzalo Giribet, Gonzalo Giribet Museum of Comparative Zoology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MassachusettsSearch for more papers by this authorJaime Gonzalez-Cueto, Jaime Gonzalez-Cueto Grupo de Investigación MIKU, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta D.T.C.H. Magdalena, Santa Marta, ColombiaSearch for more papers by this authorAlfonso Herrera-Bachiller, Alfonso Herrera-Bachiller Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcala, Alcalá de Henares, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorTerra Hiebert, Terra Hiebert Department of Biology, Institution of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon Eugene, Eugene, OregonSearch for more papers by this authorNatsumi Hookabe, Natsumi Hookabe Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorJuan Junoy, Juan Junoy Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcala, Alcalá de Henares, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorHiroshi Kajihara, Hiroshi Kajihara Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorDaria Krämer, Daria Krämer Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorSebastian Kvist, Sebastian Kvist Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorTimur Yu Magarlamov, Timur Yu Magarlamov National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorSvetlana Maslakova, Svetlana Maslakova Department of Biology, Institution of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon Eugene, Eugene, OregonSearch for more papers by this authorCecili B. Mendes, Cecili B. Mendes Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorRobert Okazaki, Robert Okazaki Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UtahSearch for more papers by this authorChristina Sagorny, Christina Sagorny Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorMegan Schwartz, Megan Schwartz University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WashingtonSearch for more papers by this authorShi-Chun Sun, Shi-Chun Sun Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorPer Sundberg, Per Sundberg Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorJames M. Turbeville, James M. Turbeville Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VirginiaSearch for more papers by this authorCong-Mei Xu, Cong-Mei Xu Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, RussiaSearch for more papers by this author Malin Strand, Corresponding Author Malin Strand malin.strand@slu.se orcid.org/0000-0002-8144-9592 Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden Correspondence Malin Strand, Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Email: malin.strand@slu.seSearch for more papers by this authorJon Norenburg, Jon Norenburg Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, District of ColumbiaSearch for more papers by this authorJosé E. Alfaya, José E. Alfaya LARBIM-IBIOMAR (CCT CONICET—CENPAT) & Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Puerto Madryn, ArgentinaSearch for more papers by this authorFernando Ángel Fernández-Álvarez, Fernando Ángel Fernández-Álvarez Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Barcelona, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorHåkan S Andersson, Håkan S Andersson Department of Chemistry & Biomedical Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorSonia C. S. Andrade, Sonia C. S. Andrade Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorThomas Bartolomaeus, Thomas Bartolomaeus Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorPatrick Beckers, Patrick Beckers Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorGregorio Bigatti, Gregorio Bigatti LARBIM-IBIOMAR (CCT CONICET—CENPAT) & Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Puerto Madryn, ArgentinaSearch for more papers by this authorIrina Cherneva, Irina Cherneva Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorAlexey Chernyshev, Alexey Chernyshev National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorBrian M. Chung, Brian M. Chung Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UtahSearch for more papers by this authorJörn von Döhren, Jörn von Döhren Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorGonzalo Giribet, Gonzalo Giribet Museum of Comparative Zoology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MassachusettsSearch for more papers by this authorJaime Gonzalez-Cueto, Jaime Gonzalez-Cueto Grupo de Investigación MIKU, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta D.T.C.H. Magdalena, Santa Marta, ColombiaSearch for more papers by this authorAlfonso Herrera-Bachiller, Alfonso Herrera-Bachiller Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcala, Alcalá de Henares, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorTerra Hiebert, Terra Hiebert Department of Biology, Institution of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon Eugene, Eugene, OregonSearch for more papers by this authorNatsumi Hookabe, Natsumi Hookabe Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorJuan Junoy, Juan Junoy Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcala, Alcalá de Henares, SpainSearch for more papers by this authorHiroshi Kajihara, Hiroshi Kajihara Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorDaria Krämer, Daria Krämer Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorSebastian Kvist, Sebastian Kvist Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaSearch for more papers by this authorTimur Yu Magarlamov, Timur Yu Magarlamov National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorSvetlana Maslakova, Svetlana Maslakova Department of Biology, Institution of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon Eugene, Eugene, OregonSearch for more papers by this authorCecili B. Mendes, Cecili B. Mendes Departamento de Genetica e Biologia Evolutiva, IB-Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilSearch for more papers by this authorRobert Okazaki, Robert Okazaki Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UtahSearch for more papers by this authorChristina Sagorny, Christina Sagorny Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology, University of Bonn, Bonn, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorMegan Schwartz, Megan Schwartz University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WashingtonSearch for more papers by this authorShi-Chun Sun, Shi-Chun Sun Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorPer Sundberg, Per Sundberg Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenSearch for more papers by this authorJames M. Turbeville, James M. Turbeville Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VirginiaSearch for more papers by this authorCong-Mei Xu, Cong-Mei Xu Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, RussiaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 29 October 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12317Citations: 21Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. 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ABSTRACT The proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing, presenting a number of new challenges in society. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how elderly persons with motoric eating difficulties perceive and perform their food and meal practices in everyday life. By using Goffman's concept of performance as a theoretical framework together with Bourdieu's thinking on habitus, a deeper understanding of food and meal practices is obtained. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 elderly people (aged between 67 and 87 years) and meal observations were carried out with 11 of these people. Participants were found to manage food and meal practices by continuously adjusting and adapting to the new conditions arising as a result of eating difficulties. This was displayed by conscious planning of what to eat and when, avoiding certain foods and beverages, using simple eating aids, but also withdrawing socially during the meals. All these adjustments were important in order to be able to demonstrate proper food and meal behaviour, to maintain the façade and to act according to the perceived norms. As well as being a pleasurable event, food and meals were also perceived in terms of being important for maintaining health and as ‘fuel’ where the main purpose is to sustain life. This was strongly connected to the social context and the ability to enjoy food and meals with family members and friends, which appeared to be particularly crucial due to the impending risk of failing the meal performance.