Insufficient Nutrient Research Articles

Animal-sourced foods improve child nutrition in Africa

Child undernutrition remains a widespread public health problem in the Global South, especially in Africa. Childhood stunting—meaning linear growth retardation—is a comprehensive and commonly used indicator of chronic child undernutrition and is mostly the result of insufficient nutrient intake, among other factors. Previous research showed that the consumption of animal-sourced foods (ASF), including meat, dairy, eggs, and fish, is associated with lower rates of child stunting, but reliable evidence for Africa is scant. In Africa, average ASF consumption is low. We use representative panel data from five African countries—Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda—with over 32,000 observations from children aged 0 to 5 y to show that ASF consumption increases mean child height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) by 0.30 ( P < 0.01) and reduces the likelihood of stunting by 6.8 percentage points ( P < 0.01), after controlling for confounding factors. The child nutritional benefits of diets containing ASF are larger than those of purely plant-based diets. Nutritious plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, can provide most of the nutrients required and also have positive effects on HAZ, but they are sometimes not available and accessible in sufficient quantities all year round, especially in rural areas. Given the large environmental footprints of livestock farming, initiatives to make food systems more sustainable often call for a strong reduction in ASF consumption. While ASF consumption should be reduced where consumption quantities are high, our results suggest that poor households’ access to ASF in Africa should be further improved to help reduce child undernutrition.

Inflammation-regulated and nutrient-supplied scaffolds promote bone regeneration in diabetic microenvironment in vivo

The harsh microenvironment of persistent inflammation and insufficient nutrient supply in diabetic organism impedes severely the osteogenic differentiation. Current management on diabetic microenvironment regulation has been focused on glycemic control and eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is inefficient to modulate the harsh diabetic microenvironment to promote bone regeneration. Herein, a surface-functionalized black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs)-coated ROS-scavenging scaffold was designed for the bone healing in type-2 diabetic rats by contributing to nutrient provision, osteogenesis, and anti-inflammation. The BPNSs/tannic acid (TA) were surface coated with cyclodextrin loaded with simvastatin (SIM)/4-carboxy-2-fluorobenzeneboronic acid (FPBA)-grafted hyperbranched poly-l-lysine (HBPL), which were further modified onto the pore walls of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffold. The BPNSs gradually degraded to release phosphate, which served as an important component of bone, and together with the released SIM, synergistically promoted osteogenesis differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in a β-glycerophosphate-free medium. The TA and FPBA on the scaffold alleviated the inflammatory environment by ROS depletion and downregulating inflammatory factors, resulting in better bone regeneration in skull defects of diabetic rats in vivo. The remarkable outcomes in vivo verify that the scaffold containing functionalized BPNSs provides an effective strategy for diabetic bone regeneration.

The Application of Melatonin and Organic Waste Derived from Vitamin C Industry Effectively Promotes Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Cotton in Saline–Alkali Soil

Saline–alkali stress severely affects plant growth and productivity. Although melatonin can promote seed germination as a growth regulator, it cannot address the weak seedling growth caused by insufficient organic nutrients in saline–alkali soil. The RAE (residue after evaporation, an industrial waste from the industrial production of vitamin C) can enhance plant salt tolerance by stimulating vitamin C (ASA) synthesis and contains abundant small molecular organic acids. We hypothesized that the combined application of melatonin and RAE might synergistically enhance cotton germination and seedling growth. The cotton seeds used in this study were “Xin Lu Zhong No. 87”; a Petri dish simulation experiment and a pot experiment were conducted in 2023. Four treatments were set: control (CK), melatonin (MT), RAE (RAE), and the combined application of MT and RAE (MR). Compared to CK, MT significantly increased the germination rate of cotton seed (194.4%), while RAE significantly enhanced the underground biomass of cotton seedlings (40.3%) and ASA content (203.8%). Compared to MT and R, the combined application of melatonin and RAE significantly increased the ASA content (54.5%, 29.6%) in roots, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (220.3%, 89.6%) in roots, catalase (CAT) activity (15.8%, 97.5%) in leaves on the 15th day, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) (57.2%, 9.7%), and total fresh weight (20.8%, 33.8%). Collectively, these findings indicate that the synergistic effect under the combined use of melatonin and RAE promotes cotton seed germination and seedling growth, offering a novel technical solution for salt–alkali soil cotton cultivation along with an innovative approach for the resource utilization of RAE.

Effects of Liquid Vermicompost Utilization on Water Quality Parameters in Aquaponic Systems

Effects of Liquid Vermicompost Utilization on Water Quality Parameters in Aquaponic Systems

Enhancing Okra Growth and Yield Through Foliar Nutrient Application in Conjunction with Mulching and Drip Irrigation

Background: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an important vegetable crop that belongs to family malvaceae and is grown both in tropical and subtropical regions of India. In north-coastal Andhra Pradesh, okra is cultivated frequently so, optimizing the nutrient management practice is an efficient method for increasing yield. Among those practices, foliar fertilizers, mulching and irrigation methods are essential in maximizing the yield and quality of okra. Therefore, the present investigation deals with the combined effects of foliar nutrients, mulching and irrigation methods, providing valuable data for sustainable okra production in a particular area. Methods: The present investigation was conducted during June to September 2023, with seven different treatments using randomized block design. This experiment mainly focuses on combinations of mulching and foliar sprays of 19:19:19 and 13:0:45 at different concentrations. Collected data were analyzed using ANOVA and fisher’s least significant difference test at a 5% significance level. Result: Among all the treatments, 100% RDF along with the foliar application of 19:19:19 @ 1.0% + 13:0:45 @ 2% at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing has proven the best treatment, where it recorded the highest yield of 101 q per hectare (Q/ha) due to the application of sufficient nutrients. Whereas, the lowest yield was recorded with control plot due to insufficient nutrient supply in relation to growth and yield parameters.

The Impact of Different Planting Densities on the Growth and Ecological Benefits of Sandland Caragana

Sandland Caragana (Caragana korshinskii) is a plant that adapts to arid and barren sandy land, exhibiting significant ecological restoration functions. The mechanisms by which different planting densities affect its growth and ecological benefits are particularly important. This paper explores the impact of planting density on photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient absorption, root expansion, and biomass accumulation based on the biological characteristics and environmental adaptability of Caragana. The study found that although high-density planting can increase root competition, effectively stabilize sand and prevent wind erosion, it may lead to insufficient light and nutrients, affecting plant growth and photosynthetic efficiency. In contrast, low-density planting enhances photosynthetic efficiency but may result in inadequate root expansion, which in turn affects its soil and water conservation capability. By optimizing planting density, the growth potential of Caragana can be enhanced while maximizing its ecological benefits, including sand fixation, resistance to wind and sand erosion, soil and water conservation, and carbon sequestration. Future research should further explore the long-term ecological effects of Caragana under different density conditions to provide a theoretical basis for desert vegetation restoration and carbon neutrality policies.

Bottom-up effects of nutrient solutions on grape-grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) interaction.

Fertilizers generally influence the nutritional quality or defense ability of the plants, which can indirectly cause an increase in populations of herbivorous insect pests such as grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Homoptera: Phylloxeridae, Fitch). The effects of nutrient solutions on grape-grape phylloxera interactions were analyzed using five concentrations (nitrogen content: 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180mg/L) of Hoagland's nutrient solution to irrigate Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labrusca L. (Kyoho). Life table variables and life history variables showed a hump-shaped or an inverted hump-shaped curve as nutrient input level increased. Sixty microgram per liter treatment resulted in the greatest longevity and egg incubation, shortened the nymph duration and significantly increased the adult lifespan. Overall, both excessive and insufficient nutrient inputs curbed growth and multiplication of D. vitifoliae. These results provide a theoretical basis for vineyards for amending fertilizer inputs to prioritize the prevention and control of this pest.

Maize Abiotic Stress Treatments in Controlled Environments.

Maize (Zea mays) is one of the world's most important crops, providing food for humans and livestock and serving as a bioenergy source. Climate change and the resulting abiotic stressors in the field reduce crop yields, threatening food security and the global economy. Water deficit (i.e., drought), heat, and insufficient nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) are major environmental stressors that affect maize yields, and impact growth and development at all stages of the plant life cycle. Understanding the biological processes underlying these responses in maize has the potential to increase yields in the face of abiotic stress. Optimizing individual or combined abiotic stress treatments in controlled environments reduces potential noise in data collection that can be present under less controlled growth conditions. Here, we describe methods and conditions for controlled abiotic stress treatments and associated controls during early vegetative growth of maize, conducted in greenhouses or growth chambers. This includes the environmental conditions, equipment, soil preparation, and intensity and duration of heat, drought, nitrogen deficiency, and phosphorous deficiency. Controlled experiments at early growth stages are informative for future in-field studies that require greater labor and inputs, saving researchers time and growing space, and thus research funds, before testing plants across later stages of development. We suggest that stress treatments be severe enough to result in a measurable phenotype, but not so severe that all plants die prior to sample collection. This protocol is designed to set important standards for replicable research in maize.

Investigating the effects of co-supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine on inflammatory status, oxidative stress, clinical symptoms, mental health and quality of life in women with migraine: a protocol for a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundMigraine is a severe neurological disorder that is recognized as one of the most common debilitating diseases worldwide. Although the exact cause of migraine is not known, research suggests that inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insufficient nutrients may contribute to its development. Studies indicate that nutrition-based approaches are safer and more cost-effective strategies for managing migraine symptoms compared to medication. In this regard, the impact of nutrition, as a complementary medicine, is largely attributed to that of certain nutrients on inflammation and mitochondrial function. It is hypothesized that alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may be synergically beneficial for migraine patients. Therefore, this study will be conducted to assess the efficacy of alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine co-supplementation in patients with migraine.MethodsThis is a parallel, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, in which 80 women aged 20 to 50 years with migraine will be assigned to receive either intervention group (n = 40) receiving both 1000 mg/day flaxseed oil and 500 mg/day L-carnitine simultaneously for 12 weeks, or control group (n = 40) receiving both 1000 mg/day paraffin oil and 500 mg/day maltodextrin as the placebos for the same duration. The primary outcomes include changes in clinical symptoms of migraine, including frequency, severity, and duration of attacks, serum levels of C–reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Secondary outcomes include mental health, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL).DiscussionIn this study, we aim to investigate the potential benefits of combining alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine as a treatment option for migraine sufferers. Migraine, characterized by recurrent severe headaches, affects a significant portion of the population and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. By studying alternative therapies such as alpha-linolenic acid and L-carnitine, researchers hope to expand the range of treatment options available and potentially provide relief to migraine sufferers.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) (ID: IRCT20121216011763N57). Registration date: 29 March 2023.Trial statusThe protocol is version 1.0 dated December 30, 2023. Recruitment began on July 10, 2023, and is expected to be completed by January 22, 2024.

Valorization of paper-mill sludge laden with 2-chlorotoluene using hydroxyapatite@biochar nanocomposite to enrich methanogenic community: A techno-economic approach

While several studies have investigated the anaerobic digestion of paper-mill sludge (PMS), this technology suffers from nutrient insufficiency, inhibition by aromatic compounds, and low bio-CH4 yield. Hence, PMS was anaerobically co-digested with chicken manure (CM) and supplemented by hydroxyapatite@biochar (HAP@BC) nanocomposite for enhancing 2-chlorotoluene degradation and enriching the methanogenic archaea. Multiple continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) were operated at 12.6 h hydraulic retention time (HRT), using PMS (R1), CM (R2), PMS + CM (R3), PMS + CM+100 mg HAP/L (R4), and PMS + CM+100 mg HAP@BC/L (R5). The maximum bio-CH4 yield of 147.5 ± 9.1 mL/g COD and 2-chlorotoluene removal of 91.2 ± 6.8 % were obtained from R5, experiencing a sufficient C/N ratio of 14.7 and the highest activities of acidogenesis (42.0 %), acetogenesis (37.9 %), and methanogenesis (42.1 %). The abundances of Euryarchaeota, Bacteroidota, and Chloroflexi at the phylum level, and Pseudomonas, and Bacillus at the genus level could highly contribute to the dechlorination mechanism and acetate transformation into CH4. This biomass-to-bioenergy project (10 m3/d capacity) could benefit from pollution reduction, biogas recovery, and carbon credit, giving 5.6 yr payback-period, 3503 USD net present value, and 12.1 % internal rate of return. Because R5 exhibited an efficient techno-economic anaerobic biodegradation performance, future studies are required to optimize its HRT condition and HAP@BC dosage.

Jasmonate and salicylic sprays improve cherry tomato fruit productivity and quality in unheated greenhouses

Introduction. Arable regions often have insufficient soil nutrients, which means that fertilizers must be used. However, using fertilizers excessively can harm the environment, human health, and food safety. Natural growth regulators derived from plants are environmentally friendly and reasonably priced. Salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) phytohormones are crucial for enhancing plant biomass, quality, productivity, and resistance to environmental stresses. Objective. To evaluate the foliar effect of MeJA and SA on fruit quality and production of cvs. colorful tomato under greenhouse conditions. Materials and methods. The trial was carried out in the University of Diyala, Iraq, from 1 December, 2022 to 5 June 2023. Foliar of 0, 200 mg/L SA and or 200 mg/L MeJA was evaluated to determine effects on fruit quality and production of colorful cherry tomato cultivars indeterminate: LA4013, LA353, LA2921, LA3899 and IQ2, with a randomized complete block design with each treatment having three replicates. Results. The cv. IQ2 had the heaviest fruit (82.13 g), highest yield (4.56 kg/plant), total yield (4.56 t/house) and highest treatable acidity (0.62 %). The cv. LA4013 had a higher fruit number (612.88 fruit/plant) and the highest total soluble solids (2.933 %). Foliar of SA at 200 mg/L had the highest chlorophyll index (36.68 SPAD) highest fruits per plant (373.73), highest yield (3.15 kg/plant) and total yield (3.93 t/house). Conclusion. When considering all variables together, the best genotypes were IQ2 and LA4013, which were found to be superior to the other genotypes in quality and yield trials. The 200 mg/L foliar SA improved the yield and quality of cherry tomatoes under greenhouse conditions.

Effects of Fertilization and Drip Irrigation on the Growth of Populus × canadensis ‘Zhongliao 1’ Plantation and on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activities

Poplars are crucial for timber supply and ecological protection in China. Enhancing the growth of poplar plantations and improving soil fertility in arid, and semi-arid poor soil regions are key aspects of sustainable forest management. Fertilization (FTL) and drip irrigation (DI) are among the most widely used methods globally for increasing yield and soil productivity. This study conducted field experiments on FTL and DI in a 10-year-old Populus × canadensis ‘Zhongliao 1’ (cultivation varieties of P. canadensis in northern China) plantation. DI limits were set according to soil moisture at 60% (S1), 70% (S2), and 80% (S3) of field capacity; nitrogen FTL rates were set at 100% of the baseline fertilization amount (100% BFA, N 643.20 g·year−1, P 473.37 g·year−1, and K 492.29 g·year−1) (F1), 70% BFA (F2), 130% BFA (F3), and 160% BFA (F4). The treatments of drip irrigation and fertigation (DIF) were H1 (100% BFA, 60% FC), H2 (100% BFA, 80% FC), H3 (160% BFA, 60% FC), and H4 (160% BFA, 80% FC), along with a control group (CK) without any management, totaling 12 experimental combinations. The results showed that the H4 had the most significant promoting effect on the height, DBH, and volume increments. All treatments had little effect on the soil bulk density of the plantation but significantly impacted soil capillary porosity and pH. Compared to DI, soil nutrient and organic matter content were more sensitive to FTL. Appropriate FTL and DI can increase soil sucrase activity. Soil urease activity tended to increase with higher FTL rates, and higher DI levels also positively influenced urease activity. Excessive or insufficient soil moisture and nutrients negatively impacted soil cellulase and catalase activities. Correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between the growth of P. × canadensis ‘Zhongliao 1’ and soil nutrient content, but significant or highly significant correlations existed between growth and soil porosity and related enzyme activities. Comprehensive evaluation using a membership function indicated that high FTL levels (F4) were more conducive to the simultaneous improvement of the growth and soil fertility of the plantation, followed by H4 and F1, suggesting that high FTL is the key factor affecting the growth of 10-year-old P. × canadensis ‘Zhongliao 1’ plantations and the restoration of stand productivity, with moisture being secondary.

First Report of Fusarium kyushuense Causing Leaf Spot on Sweet Persimmon in China.

Sweet persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) is a fruit of significant nutritional and commercial value in Asia. In summer 2023, leaf spots were observed affecting 20 to 30% of sweet persimmon trees in a commercial orchard located in Gongcheng City, Guangxi, China. Initially, the infected leaves exhibited sparse light brown spots on their upper surface, which subsequently evolved into brown circular to irregular lesions encircled by a yellow halo. Eventually, these lesions became densely distributed across the leaves leading to insufficient nutrient accumulation in the fruit. To isolate the pathogen, diseased leaves were cut into small pieces (5×5 mm), disinfected with 75% ethanol for 15 seconds, followed by 1% NaClO for 1minute, rinsed three times with sterile water, and then transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. The plates were then incubated in darkness for 3 days at 25°C. Pure cultures were obtained using the hyphal-tip method and single-spore isolation. On PDA, the colonies initially appeared fluffy and white after 24 hours, turning yellowish or red after 3 days. Macroconidia (average length of 26.1 μm in length × 4.3 μm in width, n = 50) exhibited dorsiventral curvature and were hyaline, with 3 to 5 septa. Microconidia (average length of 9.45 μm in length × 3.4 μm in width, n = 50) were hyaline, aseptate, and oval. Two representative isolates, Gxfky1 and Gxfky2, were selected for further molecular analyses. Their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region rDNA gene were amplified via PCR and sanger sequenced (GenBank Accession Nos. PP506475, PP506593) using the primer pair ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), showing more than 99% sequence identity with Fusarium kyushuense type-material strain NRRL3509 (NR_152943) according to BLASTn analysis in NCBI. To further confirm the identity of the isolates, four gene sequences were amplified: RPB1 (PP532864, PP532865), RPB2 (PP532866, PP532867), TEF1 (PP580505, PP580506), and TUB2 (PP532862, PP532863), using the F5/G2R, 5f2/11ar, EF1/EF2, and T1/T2 primer sets, respectively (O'Donnell et al., 1997; O'Donnell et al., 2010). A multi-locus maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed that Gxfky1 and Gxfky2 clustered with strains F. kyushuense with 100% bootstrap support. Pathogenicity tests using Gxfky1 and Gxfky2 were conducted on leaves of two-year-old sweet persimmon plants using non-wound inoculation. Specifically, 5-mm mycelial plugs and sterile agar plugs were placed on six leaves and secured with cling film, with six plugs each for the inoculation treatment and negative control, respectively. They were then incubated in a greenhouse at room temperature (25 ± 2°C) with a relative humidity of 70 to 80%. After 5 days, the same symptoms on naturally infected plants were observed on leaves inoculated with mycelium, while no symptoms were observed on the controls. The same fungus were reisolated from the inoculated leaves and identified based on morphology and the TEF1 gene sequence, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Fusarium kyushuense has previously been reported to cause diseases in various plant species, including maize (Cao et al., 2021), rice (Wang et al., 2024), and tobacco (Wang et al., 2013). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. kyushuense causing leaf spot on sweet persimmon in China, which expands the known host range of this pathogen.

Selective Fetal Growth Restriction: Parts of Pathogenesis

Monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations have a higher risk of perinatal complications than both dichorionic twins and singleton pregnancies. One of the complications of multiple pregnancies is selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR), the incidence of which varies from 10 to 25%. sFGR is a condition of twin pregnancy in which the development of one fetus is restricted, despite normal growth of the other fetus; one of the fetuses is supplied with insufficient nutrient and oxygen content through the placenta to grow at a normal rate. The pathogenesis of sFGR has a multifactorial nature, including disorders of trophoblast invasion, vasculo- and angiogenesis, gestational formation of the placenta with discordant separation of intertwin territories and unbalanced blood flow through interfetal anastomoses oxidative stress, growth factor imbalance, and changes in the metabolomic profile of cord blood and placental tissue. The prenatal diagnosis of sFGR is sometimes problematic and it is not possible to find all the cases. A more detailed study of the various predictors of the occurrence of sFGR will allow the discovery of new markers that will help in early diagnosis, determining the optimal management for pregnancy and predicting perinatal outcome.

Data-driven farming: implementing internet of things for agricultural efficiency

<p>Integrating internet of things (IoT) technology into agriculture has become essential to address challenges such as low crop productivity, which is often due to insufficient soil nutrients and suboptimal environmental conditions. This paper discusses the design and implementation of an IoT-based system for agriculture that aims to automate key parameters, facilitate real-time monitoring, and promote sustainable practices. Equipped with a graphical user interface (GUI), the system focuses on improving irrigation, regulating temperatures, and correcting soil nutrient deficiencies to improve crop productivity. Our research includes the use of humidity sensors to monitor soil moisture and temperature sensors. Soil nutrient levels, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), were also assessed. We conducted experiments on three radish varieties using this IoT system and compared the results with traditional farming methods. The germination rate was impressive, reaching 98% within the first four days, while in a traditional greenhouse, it did not exceed 50%. As for plant height and leaf area, the smart greenhouse was better. These results were promising and demonstrated the potential of IoT in enhancing agricultural productivity. These results highlight the significant impact of IoT technology in enhancing agricultural productivity and its potential for broader application in this sector.</p>

NUTRIENTS' DEFICIENCY RISKS IN PREGNANT WOMEN DUE TO THEIR EATING HABITS

Aim: To research the dietary habits of pregnant women living in Bulgaria and to assess the possible health effects for the offspring. Methods: An online anonymous survey of the dietary habits of pregnant women living in Bulgaria was conducted. A questionnaire was developed in Google Forms, collecting information about the demographic profile, diet, frequency of consumption of certain food and drink groups, use of alternative dietary patterns, etc. The questionnaire was spread through social media using the snowball technique. The assessment of the respondents' dietary habits was based on the national dietary recommendations during pregnancy. Descriptive analysis of the results was done using Jamovi software statistical package ver. 2.3.0. Results: 117 pregnant women aged between 21 and 54 years (median - 30 years) were interviewed. Daily consumption of milk and dairy products was found in 41% and 47% of respondents, respectively. Among the women surveyed, all were reported to consume dairy products, except 5.1% who did not consume milk. The relative share of women who rarely or never consumed fish was 58.1% and 12%, respectively, and one woman did not consume both fish and meat. Vegetarians accounted for 6% of the women surveyed, and 6% were on a low carbohydrate diet. Conclusion: Although the majority of pregnant women surveyed followed the recommendations for healthy eating, some rarely or never consumed some of the healthy foods, which put them at risk of deficiency or insufficiency of certain nutrients.

Improving contaminant removal and inhibiting CH4 and H2S emissions from septic tanks: Nitrified human urine as a source of electron acceptor

Septic tanks are widely adopted in decentralized household wastewater treatment systems serving billions of people globally. Due to the lack of effective electron acceptors, insufficient nutrient removal and the emission of harmful gases, e. g. H2S, CH4, etc., are the common drawbacks. In the present work, we attempted to supplement nitrite into septic tanks as an electron acceptor, via nitrifying human urine source-separated from blackwater, to overcome these drawbacks. Partial or complete nitritation of source-separated urine was achieved in a sequencing batch reactor. The addition of nitrified urine into septic tanks improved organic and nitrogen removals in blackwater up to 90 % and 70 %, respectively. The emission of harmful gases from the septic tanks was stably diminished, with more than 75 % of CH4, CO2 and H2S reductions. Nitrite addition significantly reduced the abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in septic tanks. Though the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria recovered after the initial inhibition upon nitrite addition, the bio-generated H2S was retained in water since the increased wastewater pH after nitrite addition promoted the disassociation of H2S in aqueous solution.

Stanniocalcin 2 governs cancer cell adaptation to nutrient insufficiency through alleviation of oxidative stress

Solid tumours often endure nutrient insufficiency during progression. How tumour cells adapt to temporal and spatial nutrient insufficiency remains unclear. We previously identified STC2 as one of the most upregulated genes in cells exposed to nutrient insufficiency by transcriptome screening, indicating the potential of STC2 in cellular adaptation to nutrient insufficiency. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying STC2 induction by nutrient insufficiency and subsequent adaptation remain elusive. Here, we report that STC2 protein is dramatically increased and secreted into the culture media by Gln-/Glc- deprivation. STC2 promoter contains cis-elements that are activated by ATF4 and p65/RelA, two transcription factors activated by a variety of cellular stress. Biologically, STC2 induction and secretion promote cell survival but attenuate cell proliferation during nutrient insufficiency, thus switching the priority of cancer cells from proliferation to survival. Loss of STC2 impairs tumour growth by inducing both apoptosis and necrosis in mouse xenografts. Mechanistically, under nutrient insufficient conditions, cells have increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lack of STC2 further elevates ROS levels that lead to increased apoptosis. RNA-Seq analyses reveal STC2 induction suppresses the expression of monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), a mitochondrial membrane enzyme that produces ROS. Moreover, a negative correlation between STC2 and MAOB levels is also identified in human tumour samples. Importantly, the administration of recombinant STC2 to the culture media effectively suppresses MAOB expression as well as apoptosis, suggesting STC2 functions in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Taken together, our findings indicate that nutrient insufficiency induces STC2 expression, which in turn governs the adaptation of cancer cells to nutrient insufficiency through the maintenance of redox homoeostasis, highlighting the potential of STC2 as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Productivity and economics of carrot (Daucus carota) as influenced by interactive effect of potassium and micronutrients

Deficiency and insufficient nutrients application are the major factor responsible to reduced carrot root yield. Nutrients in balanced amount are critical aspect for getting optimal root yield for a particular agro-climatic condition. An appropriate nutrient management including potassium and micronutrients might rise and improve the productivity of carrot. The experiment was conducted at Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan to study the effect of variable potassium and micronutrients formulations on performance of carrot. Results were found to be significant for the yield attributes, yield and economics of carrot. Soil application of potassium (MOP) @150 kg/ ha significantly enhanced the average root weight (189.3 g), root diameter (3.7 cm), shoot: root ratio (0.5), edible root length (23.7 cm), root yield (28.3 t/ha), net returns (₹205161/ha) and B:C ratio (2.7) of carrot. Among the micronutrients formulations, significantly higher average root weight (182.8 g), root diameter (3.7 cm), shoot: root ratio (0.5), edible root length (24.2 cm), root yield (27.8 t/ha), net returns (₹202576/ha) and B:C ratio (2.7) were noticed in foliar application of ZnSO4 @0.5%. Results of interaction shown that soil application of potassium (MOP) @150 kg/ha and ZnSO4 @0.5% significantly better in the average root weight (209.6 g), root yield (31.4 t/ha), net returns (₹2,35,918/ha) and B:C ratio (3.03).

Effect of rabbit urine foliar spray on the yield and post-harvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Of all vegetable crops, tomato occupies the second-largest cultivated land after potato. However, its production is often lamed by insufficient nutrient supply and invasion by insect pests. Unlike inorganic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides commonly used, rabbit urine supplies nutrients to the crops, controls insect pests and has low mammalian toxicity. However, the most suitable rabbit urine foliar spray concentration for tomato production is currently unknown. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four blocks to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of rabbit urine foliar spray on the yield and post-harvest quality of tomato. The six treatments used include: five concentrations of rabbit urine (100%, 40%, 25%, 18.2% and 0%) and 0.1% Duduthrin 1.75EC. Results indicated that treatment 18.2% rabbit urine registered the highest marketable yield (129.14 t/ha) in trial 1. In trial 2, treatment 25% rabbit urine recorded the highest marketable yield (165.08 t/ha). These two treatments gave the highest marketable yields due to their sufficient nutrient supply, optimal pest control and zero foliage scorching. Unlike fruit firmness and sugar acid ratio, total soluble solids and titratable acidity increased with increase in rabbit urine concentration. Therefore, a rabbit urine foliar spray concentration of 25% optimally improves yield and post-harvest quality of tomato. More research work can be done to determine the effect of spraying intervals of rabbit urine on the yield and post-harvest quality of tomato.