Nutritional Elements Research Articles

Tolerability and safety of a new elimination diet for pediatric eosinophilic gastritis and duodenitis

BackgroundNon-esophageal eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (non-EoE EGIDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders with massive infiltration of eosinophils into the gastrointestinal tract. Food elimination diets are potentially effective treatments. But the existing dietary therapies have various weak points. We developed a new regimen to compensate for the shortcomings of the elemental diet and 6-food elimination diet. The new regimen consists of an amino-acid-based formula, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and restricted seasonings. We named it the “Rainbow Elimination Diet (ED).” The aims of this study were to evaluate the tolerability and safety of this diet. MethodsA retrospective medical record examination was conducted at the National Center for Child Health and Development covering the period from January 2010 through December 2018. The medical records of patients (age 2–17 y) with histologically diagnosed non-EoE EGIDs were reviewed. The tolerability, nutritional intake, symptoms, and blood test findings were evaluated. ResultsNineteen patients were offered several kinds of food-elimination diets. Seven patients (eosinophilic gastritis: 5; gastroenteritis: 1; duodenitis: 1) were treated with Rainbow ED. Six patients were compliant with this diet. The median duration of the diet induction phase was 15 days (range 14–30). All 5 patients who had had symptoms just before the induction phase became symptom-free. The body weight decreased in 5 patients (median −0.6 kg), probably because the serum protein increased, resulting in reduced edema. All 5 patients with hypoproteinemia had elevated serum albumin (median 2.9–3.5 g/dL). The ingested nutritional elements were calculated, and most of them were sufficient, except for fat and selenium. ConclusionsThe Rainbow ED was well-tolerated and safe for pediatric non-EoE EGIDs.

Nutritional enhancement of fruit bars with omega rich food source fortification

AbstractConsumer awareness of the health benefits of omega‐3 fatty acids is driving the increasing consumption of food fortified with essential fatty acids. Food fortification has been identified as the workable strategy by the WHO and FAO to decrease the incidence of nutrient deficiencies at the global level and fruit/s cereal‐based bars are one of the most economical and convenient functional foods which substitute for fresh fruits and vegetables as a source of various nutritional elements. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) has gained importance due to its unique nutrient profile, particularly omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber. Due to its high omega fatty acid content, the present study was proposed to develop and evaluate apple cv. Golden Delicious and apricot cv. New Castle based functional fruit bars fortified with linseed for the benefit of general masses. Linseed fortified fruit leather was prepared by blending individual fruit pulp (apple and apricot) with two different forms of linseed namely, whole and coarsely ground in varying concentration of 5, 10, 15, and 20% where the Total soluble solids (TSS) of fruit pulp was raised to 25°B by adding cane sugar powder and the mixture was well homogenized followed by addition of linseed in varying concentration. Thereafter, the mixture was dried in mechanical dehydrator at 55 ± 2°C to a moisture content of 16–20%. Our investigation on omega fatty acid rich fruit bars concluded that blending of 10.00% unroasted whole linseed and 15.00% coarsely ground linseed was highly acceptable with respect to nutritional and sensory characteristics for the development of functional fruit bars rich in omega fatty acids.Novelty impact statement Health benefits of omega‐3‐fatty acids. Fortification of Golden Delicious and apricot cv. New Castle based functional fruit bars fortified with linseed for the benefit of general masses. The results shows that blending of 10.00% unroasted whole linseed and 15.00% coarsely ground linseed was highly acceptable with respect to nutritional and sensory characteristics for the development of functional fruit bars rich in omega fatty acids.

Elemental profile of dietary supplements and agricultural byproducts evaluated by neutron activation analysis.

Dietary supplements and agricultural byproducts were characterized by neutron activation analysis. The nutritional potential of supplements was evaluated according to alternative and commercial categories, using analysis of variance and cluster analysis, and recommended dietary intake for children. The results indicated statistically significant differences between both categories for the elements Cs, K, Na, and Rb. For the nutritional elements Ca, Co, Fe, K, Na, and Zn, the categories were similar in cluster analysis. The similarity between elemental profiles of alternative supplements and agricultural byproducts was calculated using a dissimilarity matrix, showing that rice and wheat are the predominant ingredients.

Zinc- and magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite-urea nanohybrids enhance wheat growth and nitrogen uptake

The ongoing and unrestrained application of nitrogen fertilizer to agricultural lands has been directly linked to climate change and reductions in biodiversity. The agricultural sector needs a technological upgrade to adopt sustainable methods for maintaining high yield. We report synthesis of zinc and magnesium doped and undoped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, and their urea nanohybrids, to sustainably deliver nitrogen to wheat. The urea nanohybrids loaded with up to 42% nitrogen were used as a new source of nitrogen and compared with a conventional urea-based fertilizer for efficient and sufficient nitrogen delivery to pot-grown wheat. Doping with zinc and magnesium manipulated the hydroxyapatite crystallinity for smaller size and higher nitrogen loading capacity. Interestingly, 50% and 25% doses of urea nanohybrids significantly boosted the wheat growth and yield compared with 100% doses of urea fertilizer. In addition, the nutritional elements uptake and grain protein and phospholipid levels were significantly enhanced in wheat treated with nanohybrids. These results demonstrate the potential of the multi-nutrient complexes, the zinc and magnesium doped and undoped hydroxyapatite-urea nanoparticles, as nitrogen delivery agents that reduce nitrogen inputs by at least 50% while maintaining wheat plant growth and nitrogen uptake to the same level as full-dose urea treatments.

What is confirmed in Kneipp therapy? The perspective of internal medicine

Kneipp therapy comprises the five naturopathic elements of water, exercise, nutrition, medicinal herbs and order of life. As atraditional method, it has been proven in self-treatment at home, but as aholistic therapy concept it is also used in many medical practices both for the prevention and therapy of functional disorders and in the treatment of organic diseases and ailments. While naturopathic and complementary medical procedures are highly accepted by the population and the medical profession, and exercise and nutrition therapy in particular are already largely integrated into conventional medicine, the implementation of evidence-based medicine (EbM) in internal medicine practice represents amajor challenge for Kneipp therapy. This is especially true for Kneipp hydrotherapy. Unlike in the 1980s and 1990s, when Kneipp therapy was scientifically recognized due to numerous preclinical, human physiological and some clinical studies, the change of perspective in medicine towards EbM has resulted in aresearch deficit in the field of clinical trials. The demand for scientific evidence is contrasted by alack of reliable data and an overall heterogeneous study situation or study quality; however, existing studies point to positive or significant effects, so that further research activities are urgently necessary. Some of these studies are presented in this article.

Impact of cancer cachexia on respiratory muscle function and the therapeutic potential of exercise.

Cancer cachexia is defined as a multi-factorial syndrome characterised by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass and progressive functional impairment, estimated to affect 50-80% of patients and responsible for 20% of cancer deaths. Elevations in the morbidity and mortality rates of cachectic cancer patients has been linked to respiratory failure due to atrophy and dysfunction of the ventilatory muscles. Despite this, there is a distinct scarcity of research investigating the structural and functional condition of the respiratory musculature in cancer, with the majority of studies exclusively focusing on limb muscle. Treatment strategies are largely ineffective in mitigating the cachectic state. It is now widely accepted that an efficacious intervention will likely combine elements of pharmacology, nutrition and exercise. However, of these approaches, exercise has received comparatively little attention. Therefore, it is unlikely to be implemented optimally, whether in isolation or combination. In consideration of these limitations, the current review describes the mechanistic basis of cancer cachexia and subsequently explores the available respiratory- and exercise-focused literature within this context. The molecular basis of cachexia is thoroughly reviewed. The pivotal role of inflammatory mediators is described. Unravelling the mechanisms of exercise-induced support of muscle via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in addition to promoting efficient energy metabolism via increased mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial function and muscle glucose uptake provide avenues for interventional studies. Currently available pre-clinical mouse models including novel transgenic animals provide a platform for the development of multi-modal therapeutic strategies to protect respiratory muscles in people with cancer.

Nutrient Elements Promote Disease Resistance in Tomato by Differentially Activating Immune Pathways.

Nutrient elements play essential roles in plant growth, development, and reproduction. Balanced nutrition is critical for plant health and the ability to withstand biotic stress. Treatment with essential elements has been shown to induce disease resistance in certain cases. Understanding the functional mechanisms underlying plant immune responses to nutritional elements has the potential to provide new insights into crop improvement. In the present study, we investigated the effect of various elements-potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na)-in promoting resistance against the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea and the hemibiotrophic bacterium Xanthomonas euvesicatoria in tomato. We demonstrate that spray treatment of essential elements was sufficient to activate immune responses, inducing defense gene expression, cellular leakage, reactive oxygen species, and ethylene production. We report that different defense signaling pathways are required for induction of immunity in response to different elements. Our results suggest that genetic mechanisms that are modulated by nutrient elements can be exploited in agricultural practices to promote disease resistance.

Effects of salinity on the nutritional quality of amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) leaves: Case of local and resistant varieties

Climate change is a real obstacle to agriculture because of the difficulty of water supply. Farmers are trying to mitigate this problem by developing several strategies including those based on irrigation. Unfortunately, these irrigation techniques favour the entry of sodium in food crops. In response to this situation, research has been conducted in Benin to develop a salinity resistant variety of local amaranth (called line 23). The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional values of this resistant amaranth variety grown under salt stress and to compare them with the nutritional values of local amaranth grown under the same conditions. Local and resistant amaranth plants were grown in real environment and then stressed with salt concentrations of 0; 7.1 and 19.6 mmol NaCl. After harvesting, the leaves were sent to the laboratories for the determination of nutritional elements. Three replicates were done. Analysis of variance was used to compare the means of the nutritional elements assayed using JMP software (SAS Institute MC 2007). The results show a significant improvement in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamin A levels in line 23 in contrast to the reference cultivar. However, the sodium content, although decreasing as the salt concentration increases, remains above acceptable limits. As for the reference cultivar, the results show an increase in the concentrations of several elements: iron, calcium, magnesium, including that of sodium, which is harmful to cardiovascular health.

The new variety of spring triticale Slovo for the Central and Volgo-Vyatka regions of the Russian Federation

The variety of spring triticale adapted to the conditions of the Non-Chernozem zone of the European part of Russia was developed in cooperation with Belorussian scientists using the method of intraspecific hybridization of ecologically distant forms. The results of this variety study in the varietal tests of 2015-2020 on gray forest medium loamy and sod-podzolic sandy soils of the Vladimir region and in the Republic of Belarus are presented. The new variety had high yield of 6.06 t/ha, on average, over 7 years of variety testing on gray forest soils. Yield increase to the standard variety Normann was 0.81 t/ha or 13.3 %. An intensive type variety. In a favorable year the yield in the variety testing reached 8.71 t/ha, the increase to the standard variety was 17.1 %. A medium-ripened, medium-sized variety Slovo matured 1-3 days earlier than the standard Normann variety and the new Dobroye variety. The Slovo variety was characterized by group resistance to diseases (powdery mildew, types of rust and smut), weak susceptibility to leaf and ear septoria, stress resistance to abiotic stressors (drought resistance 8.2 points, lodging resistance 5 points). The new variety like the standard Normann variety, is intended for cultivation using technologies of various intensity levels. It can be grown on different soils according to its granulometric texture and availability of mineral nutrition elements. On sandy sod-podzolic soils, the average yield was 4.20 t/ha, that of the standard variety was 4.15 t/ha. In addition to high productivity, the new variety was characterized by high quality of feed grain, the increase in protein per hectare to the standard Norman variety was 114 kg/ha. Since 2022, the Slovo variety has been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Approved for Use in the Central (3) and Volga-Vyatka (4) regions of the Russian Federation. It is recommended in feed production for grain cultivation, as well as for monofodder.

From regeneration to osteoarthritis in the knee joint: The role shift of cartilage-derived progenitor cells.

A mount of growing evidence has proven that cartilage-derived progenitor cells (CPCs) harbor strong proliferation, migration, andmultiple differentiation potentials over the past 2 decades. CPCs in the stage of immature tissue play an important role in cartilage development process and injured cartilage repair in the young and active people. However, during maturation and aging, cartilage defects cannot be completely repaired by CPCs in vivo. Recently, tissue engineering has revealed that repaired cartilage defects with sufficient stem cell resources under good condition and bioactive scaffolds in vitro and in vivo. Chronic inflammation in the knee joint limit the proliferation and chondrogenesis abilities of CPCs, which further hampered cartilage healing and regeneration. Neocartilage formation was observed in the varus deformity of osteoarthritis (OA) patients treated with offloading technologies, which raises the possibility that organisms could rebuild cartilage structures spontaneously. In addition, nutritionmetabolismdysregulation, including glucose and free fatty acid dysregulation, could influence both chondrogenesis and cartilage formation. There are a few reviews about the advantages of CPCs for cartilage repair, but few focused on the reasons why CPCs could not repair the cartilage as they do in immature status. A wide spectrum of CPCs was generated by different techniques and exhibited substantial differences. We recently reported that CPCs maybe are as internal inflammation sources during cartilage inflammaging. In this review, we further streamlined the changes of CPCs from immature development to maturation and from healthy status to OA advancement. The key words including "cartilage derived stem cells", "cartilage progenitor cells", "chondroprogenitor cells", "chondroprogenitors" were set for latest literature searching in PubMed and Web of Science. The articles were then screened through titles, abstracts, and the full texts in sequence. The internal environment including long-term inflammation, extendedmechanical loading, and nutritional elements intake and external deleterious factors were summarized. Taken together, these results provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanism of CPC proliferation and differentiation during development, maturation, aging, injury, and cartilage regeneration in vivo.

Effect of Different Long-Term Potassium Dosages on Crop Yield and Potassium Use Efficiency in the Maize–Wheat Rotation System

Potassium (K) is the second most important plant nutritional element and is used for numerous physiological processes. We established an eight-year experiment comparing the effects of five K fertilization treatments (0, 48, 84, 120 and 156 kg K ha−1) on crop yield, K use efficiency and soil apparent K balance under the maize–wheat rotation system in the North China Plain. The highest maize and wheat yields were achieved in the K120 treatment, increasing by up to 16.7% and 25.1%, respectively. The increase in grain yield and K agronomic efficiency (AEK) with K application was greater in wheat than in maize. The K recovery efficiency (REK) and K accumulative recovery efficiency (ARE) significantly decreased with the increase in K fertilization in the maize and wheat seasons. However, the soil apparent K balance and soil available K content increased; the former was deficiency (−24.3 kg ha−1 yr−1) in the K0 treatment, but the latter did not decrease significantly compared with that in the initial year of the experiment. The soil available K content increased by 10.9 mg kg−1 per 100 kg ha−1. In conclusion, the yield response to K fertilization was greater in wheat than in maize and alleviated soil K depletion, but the K fertilizer efficiency was lower. We believed that K fertilizer can be increased moderately in the wheat season and decreased in the maize season.

Role of IAA and Primary Metabolites in Two Rounds of Adventitious Root Formation in Softwood Cuttings of Camellia sinensis (L.)

The type of adventitious root formation of tea softwood cuttings is different from that of single node cuttings. In addition to the callus at the base of cuttings, the adventitious roots are also formed in the upper cortex of softwood cuttings. In order to find out the similarities and differences between the above two types of adventitious roots of softwood cuttings and the influencing factors for the differences, an integrated analysis of plant hormones, untargeted metabolomics, and transcriptomics of the softwood cutting stems at different positions is performed. The phytohormone results show that IAA plays a leading role, and a high ratio of in vivo auxin to GA3 or ABA facilitated root formation. The ratios of IAA/GA3 and IAA/ABA in the upper and base rooting parts of cuttings are both higher than the middle non-rooting transition zone. Differences in metabolites indicate that 73 metabolites are involved in the formation of adventitious roots in cuttings. Compared with the middle non-rooting transition zone, most saccharides are downregulated in the upper and base rooting parts of softwood cuttings, and the saccharides in the base rooting parts of cuttings are more consumed than that in the upper rooting parts. Most organic acids in the callus at the base of cuttings show an upward trend, while those in the upper rooting parts show a downward trend. Furthermore, coniferyl alcohol is the key metabolite for adventitious root formation in the upper and base rooting parts of cuttings. Transcriptome results show 1099 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are obtained, and KEGG enrichment analysis show that these DEGs are significantly enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. Based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), two key modules which have a highly positive correlation with IAA are identified. In summary, maintaining the balance of endogenous hormones and sufficient nutritional elements is very important for adventitious root formation in tea plants. Clarifying the material basis of softwood cutting rooting of tea plant is of great significance to improve the cutting survival rate of tea plant (especially difficult rooting varieties) and shorten the breeding cycle.

Production of Enzymatic Extract with High Cellulolytic and Oxidative Activities by Co-Culture of Trichoderma reesei and Panus lecomtei

This work aimed to produce enzymatic fungi extracts with hydrolytic and oxidative activities to hydrolyze lignocellulosic biomasses efficiently. For this, the fungi Trichoderma reesei and Panus lecomtei were co-cultured using the vegetable biomasses oil palm decanter cake, wheat bran, and cottonseed cake as substrates in submerged fermentation. T. reesei and P. lecomtei showed partially compatible positive interaction on plates. The co-cultures respond positively to variations of temperature and inoculum interval, generating extracts responsible for higher hydrolysis yield when grown at 25 °C, and P. lecomtei is inoculated 24 h after T. reesei. The enzymatic extract production of co-cultures was also improved by modifying the components of the initial media and evaluating enzymatic activities, hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse pretreated by autohydrolysis and ethanol production as a response. Five culture media were evaluated with variations in the composition of nutritional elements, minerals and substrates. The best extract showed a maximum cellulose hydrolysis efficiency of 68.7% compared with 44.8% of the initial medium. The ethanolic fermentation of hydrolysates obtained by co-culture extracts showed higher ethanol yields than monocultures. This work demonstrates the use of fungi co-cultures to produce enzymatic extracts composed of cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, and ligninolytic enzymes complexes, which allow hydrolyzing pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with high efficiency, generating hydrolysates that are easier fermented by yeast.

Effect of water filtration infrared-A (wIRA) sauna on inorganic ions excreted through sweat from the human body.

Sweat discharged as a result of exposure to sauna plays an important role in removing inorganic ions accumulated in the body, including heavy metals. In this study, inorganic ions (toxic and nutrient elements) excreted in the form of sweat from the body using a water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) sauna were determined using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. The analyzed elements included eight toxic elements (Al, As, Be, Cd, Ni, Pb, Ti, and Hg) and 10 nutrient elements (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, V, and Zn), and their correlations were determined. Analysis of the sweat obtained from 22 people using the wIRA sauna showed a higher inorganic ion concentration than that obtained from conventional activities, such as exercise or the use of wet sauna, and the concentration of toxic elements in sweat was higher in females than in males. Correlation analysis of the ions revealed a correlation between the discharge of toxic elements, such as As, Be, Cd, and Ni, and discharge of Se and V, and Ni was only correlated with Mn. This study provides fundamental information on nutritional element supplementation when using wIRA sauna for detoxification.

Phytoliths in particulate matter released by wind erosion on arable land in La Pampa, Argentina

Silicon (Si) is considered a beneficial element in plant nutrition, but its importance on ecosystems goes far beyond that. Various forms of silicon are found in soils, of which the phytogenic pool plays a decisive role due to its good availability. This Si returns to the soil through the decomposition of plant residues, where they then participate in the further cycle as biogenic amorphous silica (bASi) or so-called phytoliths. These have a high affinity for water, so that the water holding capacity and water availability of soils can be increased even by small amounts of ASi. Agricultural land is a considerable global dust source, and dust samples from arable land have shown in cloud formation experiments a several times higher ice nucleation activity than pure mineral dust. Here, particle sizes in the particulate matter fractions (PM) are important, which can travel long distances and reach high altitudes in the atmosphere. Based on this, the research question was whether phytoliths could be detected in PM samples from wind erosion events, what are the main particle sizes of phytoliths and whether an initial quantification was possible.Measurements of PM concentrations were carried out at a wind erosion measuring field in the province La Pampa, Argentina. PM were sampled during five erosion events with Environmental Dust Monitors (EDM). After counting and classifying all particles with diameters between 0.3 and 32 µm in the EDMs, they are collected on filters. The filters were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX) to investigate single or ensembles of particles regarding composition and possible origins.The analyses showed up to 8.3 per cent being phytoliths in the emitted dust and up to 25 per cent of organic origin. Particles of organic origin are mostly in the coarse dust fraction, whereas phytoliths are predominately transported in the finer dust fractions. Since phytoliths are both an important source of Si as a plant nutrient and are also involved in soil C fixation, their losses from arable land via dust emissions should be considered and its specific influence on atmospheric processes should be studied in detail in the future.

The Uptake of Essential Mineral Elements by Endemic Salvia absconditiflora (Greuter & Burdet) Growing in Natural Habitats

This study was conducted to determine the uptake of essential mineral elements by endemic Salvia absconditiflora species growing in the natural habitats of Kırşehir province and its dependence on some physical and chemical properties of soil. The plant and soil samples were collected from 10 different locations. It was found that in the collected plants, K concentration was inadequate (0.344%), Fe had an excessive amount (541.853 mg kg-1), while Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg and Ca concentrations were adequate (6.154 mg kg-1, 32.610 mg kg-1, 43.395 mg kg-1, 0.507% and 3.650%). The soils had sandy clay loam texture, slight alkaline reaction (pH=7.92), an average amount of organic matter (3.06%), high amount of calcareous (35.61%) and low amount of soluble salts. It was also determined that soils had adequate K, Ca and Mg concentrations and 80% of the soil samples had inadequate level of P. Since Cu concentration was adequate in terms of microelement stock, concentrations of Zn were inadequate (0.292 mg kg-1). It was found that Salvia absconditiflora plant had the ability to grow in the soil with inadequate Zn and Mn.

ELEMENTS OF NUTRITION OF HYSSOP OFFICINALIS ON DRIP IRRIGATION IN THE SOUTH OF UKRAINE

Purpose. The article is devoted to highlighting the results of scientific research conducted during 2020–2021, the purpose of which was to establish the influence of ecological and agrotechnical growing conditions on the productivity of the medicinal hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) culture under drip irrigation on the black soil of the southern Steppe of Ukraine, as well as the development, scientific justification and implementation of agrotechnical methods of their cultivation for the southern region of Ukraine. Methods: general scientific (dialectical – observation of the dynamics of growth and development of culture; method of hypotheses – scheme of research; method of analysis – study of the object of research; method of synthesis – formation of conclusions, recommendations for production; method of abstraction – theoretical generalization of research; calculation method – establishment of economic and energy efficiency of measures) and special (field method – study of the relationship of the object with biotic and abiotic factors in the specific conditions of the research area; laboratory methods: morphophysiological – biometric parameters of plants; chemical – chemical composition of grain and soil; physical – physical soil and seed indicators; statistical methods: comparative-calculation – economic efficiency of cultivation technologies. Statistical, calculation and comparative-calculation methods were used to generalize and process experimental data: dispersion, correlation and regression analyses. Research results. In the conditions of the arid climate of the Mykolaiv region and temperature fluctuations over the years, an important direction for introducing and increasing the productivity of essential oil crops is the use of irrigation and nutrition elements. Thus, the drip method of irrigation and treatment of plantings with biologics creates optimal conditions for the growth and development of Hyssopus officinalis L. The most developed plants of common hyssop were recorded on the background of N90P90 and treatment of plants in the phases of branching and budding with Combi Helafite. In this variant, the largest number of stems per plant was counted (59 PCs. The height of the plants was 71.4 cm, the diameter of the Bush was 66 cm, and the water consumption for the formation of a unit of yield of flower mass was the lowest (584 m3/t). The yield of hyssop for the best option was 7.92 t/ha, the yield of essential oil was 95.04 kg/ha, profitability reached 224.3% and conditionally net profit was 72,304 thousand UAH/ha at the cost of 1 kg of essential oil as 339 UAH. Conclusions. According to the results of the research, it is recommended for the production of dripirrigated hyssop of the medicinal Marquis variety on the chernozems of the southern steppes of Ukraine, in order to increase productivity, quality and economic indicators, to use mineral fertilizers with a dose of N90P90 and to carry out two foliar feedings with the drug Helafit combi in the phase of branching and budding of the culture.

Six Underutilized Grain Crops for Food and Nutrition in China.

Underutilized grain crops are an essential part of the food system that supports humankind. A number of these crops can be found in China, such as barley, buckwheat, broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, oat, and sorghum, which have characteristics such as containing more nutritional elements, being resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and having strong adaptability to poor environments. The diversity of these crops provides options for farmers’ livelihoods and healthy food for the population. Although some mentioned crops such as barley, oat, and sorghum are not underutilized crops globally, they could be considered underutilized in China as they were more important in the past and could be revitalized for food and nutrition in the future. This paper reviews current progress in research and development in the areas of germplasm resource conservation, variety improvement, cultivation technologies, processing, and the nutrition and benefits of six underutilized grain crops in China. It is concluded that underutilized grain crops could play a critical role in food and nutritional security in China.

Response of Sugarcane to Varying Nitrogen Rate and Application Timings Under Semi-Arid Climate

To enhance crop yields, nitrogen is one of essential basic nutritional elements that enable any plant to withstand in stressful conditions. An experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of N rates and its application timings on growth, development and sugarcane yield at farm area of Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan for two consecutive crop seasons (spring 2014 and 2015). Four Nitrogen (N) rates viz.170, 227, 284 and 341 kg ha-1were applied at four different application schedules i.e. T1= 45-75-90 days after planting (DAP); T2= 45-75-90-120 DAP;T3= 45-75-90-120-150 DAP and T4= 45-75-90-120-150-180 DAP, in RCBD having three replications. The results revealed that the treatments significantly affected quantitative traits like tillers plant-1, cane girth, millable count, cane and sugar yield and growth parameters like leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), seasonal total dry matter accumulation (TDM) and seasonal crop growth rate (CGR). Interactive effect of treatments was also significant for cane girth, number of millable canes and LAD. Treatments did not affect cane length significantly during the course of study. Growth traits viz. LAI, LAD and CGR showed improvement by higher N application and the highest values were observed when N was applied late in the season in six splits. A close positive linear relationship was noticed between cane yield and dose & time of N application. It may be concluded from the present study that splitting of nitrogen till 180 days after planting at higher rates (upto 341 kg ha-1) can improve cane and sugar yield of spring planted sugarcane crop under semi-arid climatic conditions

Improving the understanding of key nutritional elements to support healthier and more informed food choices: The effect of front-of-pack label bundles

ObjectivesIn the current open debate at the European level on what would be the best Front-of-Pack Label (FOPL) to support customers' healthier and more informed food choices, little effort has been dedicated to analyzing the potential effects of bundling existing FOPLs. This study aims to compare the effects of consumers' subjective understanding and liking of different types of FOPL bundles. MethodsWe performed an experimental design by manipulating the FOPLs' scheme, where different types of FOPL bundles were designed according to the “directiveness” of the FOPLs' scheme. A “mixed” bundle was composed of a non-directive label (i.e., NutrInform Battery) and a directive label (i.e., Keyhole), and a “double-directive” bundle was composed of two directive labels (i.e., Nutri-Score and Keyhole). This study was conducted among a sample of 327 Swedish individuals responsible for purchases recruited through international web panel providers. ResultsThe results showed that a mixed bundle has been more effective than the double-directive bundle and the single-directive label (i.e., the existing FOPL in the investigated market) in allowing consumers to improve their subjective understanding (in terms of comprehensibility, help-to-shop, and complexity reduction) and liking towards the labels. ConclusionsThis study extends the current research on bundling in general and on FOPL bundles in particular by providing evidence regarding consumers' subjective understanding and liking of the labels. Additionally, the research provided findings that might be relevant for policymakers by suggesting to investigate bundle of FOPLs to help the consumers' understanding in their process toward healthier and more informed food choices.