Nutritional Interactions Research Articles

Heterotrophy promotes the re-establishment of photosynthate translocation in a symbiotic coral after heat stress.

Symbiotic scleractinian corals are particularly affected by climate change stress and respond by bleaching (losing their symbiotic dinoflagellate partners). Recently, the energetic status of corals is emerging as a particularly important factor that determines the corals’ vulnerability to heat stress. However, detailed studies of coral energetic that trace the flow of carbon from symbionts to host are still sparse. The present study thus investigates the impact of heat stress on the nutritional interactions between dinoflagellates and coral Stylophora pistillata maintained under auto- and heterotrophy. First, we demonstrated that the percentage of autotrophic carbon retained in the symbionts was significantly higher during heat stress than under non-stressful conditions, in both fed and unfed colonies. This higher photosynthate retention in symbionts translated into lower rates of carbon translocation, which required the coral host to use tissue energy reserves to sustain its respiratory needs. As calcification rates were positively correlated to carbon translocation, a significant decrease in skeletal growth was observed during heat stress. This study also provides evidence that heterotrophic nutrient supply enhances the re-establishment of normal nutritional exchanges between the two symbiotic partners in the coral S. pistillata, but it did not mitigate the effects of temperature stress on coral calcification.

Maternal Malaria and Malnutrition (M3) initiative, a pooled birth cohort of 13 pregnancy studies in Africa and the Western Pacific

PurposeThe Maternal Malaria and Malnutrition (M3) initiative has pooled together 13 studies with the hope of improving understanding of malaria–nutrition interactions during pregnancy and to foster collaboration between nutritionists and...

Retrospective on the origin, intent, and impact of the Gutshops and some directions for the future

The eighth in a series of workshops on fish feeding ecology (“Gutshops”) was held in 2015, continuing a tradition started in 1976 that expanded in scope and participation. Topics in early Gutshops focused on methodology and analysis, and evolved to include niche overlap, competition, nutrition, and community trophic interactions. Major accomplishments were enhanced communications, standardization, design and evolution of indices (IRI, GII, PSIRI, etc.), statistical improvements, graphics, and chemical studies such as stable isotope and fatty acid analyses. Future directions, some of which were presented at the 2015 meeting, include internal tags (detecting feeding through movements, acidity, temperature, etc.), additional stable isotope and fatty acid analyses, genetic identification of prey and physiological indicators (enzyme analysis and digestion processes).

Determinación preliminar de normas e interacciones nutrimentales en chile ancho (Capsicum annuum L) en la Comarca Lagunera

El chile (Capsicum annuum) es uno de los principales cultivos hortícolas establecidos en México debido a su gran popularidad y aceptación entre la población. Dentro de este género, uno de los cultivares que más usos tiene es el chile ancho. Debido al escenario actual de crisis económicas y ambientales, los productores de este cultivo se han visto en la necesidad de administrar una nutrición balanceada. El origen y la cantidad de fertilizantes pueden afectar drásticamente el patrón de crecimiento, su anatomía y morfología, así como su composición química y por ende su productividad en cuanto a cantidad y calidad del producto. La optimización en el uso de fertilizantes puede lograrse por medio del establecimiento de normas nutrimentales con métodos multivariados como el Diagnóstico de Nutrimento Compuesto (DNC). El DNC se apoya en bases matemáticas robustas para un cultivo y región determinado. El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar las normas nutrimentales preliminares e identificar las interacciones nutrimentales significativas mediante la técnica de diagnóstico de nutrimento compuesto (DNC) para chile tipo ancho “San Martin” en la Comarca Lagunera durante el ciclo primavera-verano de 2015. Las normas preliminares de CND fueron desarrolladas de una pequeña base de datos como medias y desviación estándar de la relación centrada de logaritmos (Vx) de cinco nutriente (N, P, K, Ca y Mg) y un valor desconocido R, el cual comprende todos los nutrientes no analizados químicamente y cuantificados en chile ancho. Las normas preliminares de CND son: V*N = 0.42 ± 0.06, V*P = -3.24 ± 0.13, V*K= 0.48 ± 0.08, V*Ca = -0.21 ± 0.06, V*Mg = -0.82 ± 0.05, y == 3.38 ± 0.05. Como resultado de este trabajo se presentaron dos interacciones negativas significativas a través de análisis de componentes principales: P y K para la subpoblación de alto rendimiento, mientras que en la población completa y la subpoblación de bajos rendimientos se encontró la interacción negativa P y Ca, lo cual nos sugiere estos casos de antagonismos P-K y P- Ca para este estudio.

Inter-individual variation in nutrient balancing in the honeybee (Apis mellifera)

The Geometric Framework approach in nutritional ecology postulates that animals attempt to balance the consumption of different nutrients rather than simply maximizing energetic gain. The intake target with respect to each nutrient maximizes fitness in a specific dimension and any difference between individuals in intake target therefore represents alternative behavioral and fitness maximization strategies. Nutritional interactions are a central component of all social groups and any inter-individual variation in intake target should therefore have a significant influence on social dynamics. Using the honeybee colony as an experimental model, we quantified differences in the carbohydrate intake target of individual foragers using a capillary feeder (CAFE) assay. Our results show that the bees did not simply maximize their net energetic gain, but combined sugar and water in their diet in a way that brought them to an intake target equivalent to a 33% sucrose solution. Although the mean intake target with respect to the nutrients sucrose and water was the same under different food choice regimens, there was significant inter-individual variation in intake target and the manner in which individuals reached this target, a variation which suggests different levels of tolerance to nutrient imbalance. We discuss our results in the context of how colony performance may be influenced by the different nutrient balancing strategies of individual members and how such nutritional constraints could have contributed to the evolution of sociality.

Divergent genotypes for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 7. Low-fat and low-RFI cows produce more liveweight and better gross margins than do high-fat and high-RFI cows when managed under the same conditions

The present paper focuses on the economic evaluation of the observed differences in maternal productivity of different genetic lines in Angus cattle that were managed under contrasting nutritional regimes typical of southern Australia. Five hundred Angus cows were managed concurrently at two locations in southern Australia. On each site, the cows were managed under the following two different nutritional treatments: High and Low, to simulate different stocking rates. Cows selected for a divergence in either carcass rib-fat depth or residual feed intake based on mid-parent estimated breeding values for those traits, were allocated in replicate groups to either High- or Low-nutrition treatments. By design, the supplementary feeding regime was the same for the High and Low genetic lines to ensure genetic differences were not confounded with management differences. Animal productivity results from the experiment were used as input data to evaluate the economic performance of the four genetic lines under the two nutritional treatments. Two methods were used; the first was a gross-margin calculation of income minus variable costs as AU$ per breeding cow for a 1000-cow herd; the second was a whole-farm linear programming model maximising the gross margin. Stocking rates were optimised by matching the energy requirements for the whole herd with the energy available from pasture and supplementary feed on a representative 700-ha farm. Using the two methods of calculating gross margin (per cow and optimised per hectare), including examination of sensitivity to changes in prices of cattle and supplementary feed, the present study demonstrated that genetically leaner cows due to selection of low fat or low residual feed intake, had gross margins superior to those of genetically fatter cows. They generated more income by selling more liveweight due to heavier weights and higher stocking rates. The results are affected by the management system utilised and some confounding with growth (leaner genetic lines had higher growth estimated breeding values), but will assist producers to make more informed decisions about how to manage animal breeding and nutritional interactions.

Physiological and parasitological implications of living in a city: the case of the white-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus).

Among primates, the Neotropical Callitrichid monkeys (tamarins and marmosets) exhibit a particular ability to adapt to disturbed and urbanized environments. However, little is known about physiological and health status in contrasting ecological contexts. An example of adaptation to urban environments is the white-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus), an endangered species endemic to the central Andes in North West Colombia. This species was used as a model to contrast physical condition, physiological parameters and the parasite community of wild populations in rural and urban settings. Overall, the tamarins seemed to be in good body condition in both environments; however, urban tamarins exhibited overweight, elevated body mass, and higher cholesterol levels, while rural tamarins showed larger diversity and prevalence of parasites. Variation in several hematological parameters associated with altitude was also observed. Our data provide preliminary evidence of differential physiological responses to urban and rural environments in tamarins. These results may be attributed to nutritional factors, physical activity, and specific parasite-host ecological interactions in these two environments. Also, abundance and diversity of the parasite community in urban environments may be potentially constrained by habitat fragmentation and relatively fewer reservoirs. Finally, significant physiological and ecological disparities between white-footed tamarins occurring in urban and rural habitats as well as physiological response to hypoxia at higher altitudes were evidenced here. This study provides important preliminary information that will be useful to determine the ability of New World primate populations to cope with urban development and rapidly changing environments.

We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know: Using Focus Groups to Tailor Nutrition Education in the Abriendo Caminos Community Intervention

ObjectiveTo improve the Abriendo Caminos (AC2) nutrition intervention by learning about Hispanic mothers’ perceptions of barriers to improving diet using focus group data.DescriptionAC2 is a multistate, randomized control intervention to improve nutrition, physical activity, and family interactions among Hispanics. AC2 emphasizes increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods, reduction in unhealthy snack foods, and healthy changes to traditional recipes. Mothers (>1 child 6-18 yrs) in two Illinois focus groups (n=12) discussed health-related family patterns, especially barriers and facilitators.EvaluationOver 10 hours of transcribed data were subject to open-coding thematic analyses. Nutrition patterns are the current focus. In initial analyses, two emerging themes were lack of knowledge regarding portion size for family members of different sizes and ages, and types of fat in the diet.Conclusions and ImplicationsFocus groups allow in-depth exploration/follow-up and are appropriate with this population. These IL data will underpin modification of existing curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning about portion sizes (especially of traditional foods) and healthy fats (including taste-tests and strategies for integrating healthier fats in traditional foods). Our goal is to promote healthy behaviors in Hispanic families in a culturally-sensitive way. Focus groups were an important tool in identifying which behaviors most needed modification thus allowing us to maximize curriculum efficiency and efficacy. The same process will occur at all study sites.FundingUSDA Grant #2015-68001-23248 ObjectiveTo improve the Abriendo Caminos (AC2) nutrition intervention by learning about Hispanic mothers’ perceptions of barriers to improving diet using focus group data. To improve the Abriendo Caminos (AC2) nutrition intervention by learning about Hispanic mothers’ perceptions of barriers to improving diet using focus group data. DescriptionAC2 is a multistate, randomized control intervention to improve nutrition, physical activity, and family interactions among Hispanics. AC2 emphasizes increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods, reduction in unhealthy snack foods, and healthy changes to traditional recipes. Mothers (>1 child 6-18 yrs) in two Illinois focus groups (n=12) discussed health-related family patterns, especially barriers and facilitators. AC2 is a multistate, randomized control intervention to improve nutrition, physical activity, and family interactions among Hispanics. AC2 emphasizes increased consumption of nutrient-rich foods, reduction in unhealthy snack foods, and healthy changes to traditional recipes. Mothers (>1 child 6-18 yrs) in two Illinois focus groups (n=12) discussed health-related family patterns, especially barriers and facilitators. EvaluationOver 10 hours of transcribed data were subject to open-coding thematic analyses. Nutrition patterns are the current focus. In initial analyses, two emerging themes were lack of knowledge regarding portion size for family members of different sizes and ages, and types of fat in the diet. Over 10 hours of transcribed data were subject to open-coding thematic analyses. Nutrition patterns are the current focus. In initial analyses, two emerging themes were lack of knowledge regarding portion size for family members of different sizes and ages, and types of fat in the diet. Conclusions and ImplicationsFocus groups allow in-depth exploration/follow-up and are appropriate with this population. These IL data will underpin modification of existing curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning about portion sizes (especially of traditional foods) and healthy fats (including taste-tests and strategies for integrating healthier fats in traditional foods). Our goal is to promote healthy behaviors in Hispanic families in a culturally-sensitive way. Focus groups were an important tool in identifying which behaviors most needed modification thus allowing us to maximize curriculum efficiency and efficacy. The same process will occur at all study sites. Focus groups allow in-depth exploration/follow-up and are appropriate with this population. These IL data will underpin modification of existing curriculum to emphasize hands-on learning about portion sizes (especially of traditional foods) and healthy fats (including taste-tests and strategies for integrating healthier fats in traditional foods). Our goal is to promote healthy behaviors in Hispanic families in a culturally-sensitive way. Focus groups were an important tool in identifying which behaviors most needed modification thus allowing us to maximize curriculum efficiency and efficacy. The same process will occur at all study sites.

The Role of Proanthocyanidins Complex in Structure and Nutrition Interaction in Alfalfa Forage.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the main forages grown in the world. Alfalfa is a winter hardy, drought tolerant, N-fixing legume with a good longevity, high yield, high nutrient levels, high digestibility, unique structural to non-structural components ratio, high dry matter intake, and high animal productivity per hectare. However, its main limitation is its excessively rapid initial rate of protein degradation in the rumen, which results in pasture bloat and inefficient use of protein with consequent excessive excretions of nitrogen into the environment. Proanthocyanidins are secondary plant metabolites that can bind with protein and thereby reduce the rate and extent of ruminal protein degradation. However, these secondary metabolites do not accumulate in alfalfa. This review aims to firstly describe the events involved in the rapid release of protein from alfalfa and its effect on ruminant nutrition, environmental pollution, and pasture bloat; secondly, to describe occurrence, structure, functions and benefits of moderate amounts of proanthocyanidin; and finally, to describe the development of alfalfa which accumulates moderate amounts of proanthocyanidins. The emphasis of this review focuses on the role of proanthocyanidins compounds in structure and nutrition interaction in ruminant livestock systems.

Perinatal Exposure to a Diet High in Saturated Fat, Refined Sugar and Cholesterol Affects Behaviour, Growth, and Feed Intake in Weaned Piglets.

The increased consumption of diets high in saturated fats and refined sugars is a major public health concern in Western human societies. Recent studies suggest that perinatal exposure to dietary fat and/or sugar may affect behavioural development. We thus investigated the effects of perinatal exposure to a high-fat high-sugar diet (HFS) on behavioural development and production performance of piglets. Thirty-two non-obese sows and their piglets were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design, with 8-week prenatal (gestation) and 8-week postnatal (lactation and post-weaning) exposure to a HFS diet (12% saturated fat, 18.5% sucrose, 1% cholesterol) or control low-fat low-sugar high-starch diets as factors. From weaning onwards (4 weeks of age), piglets were housed in group of 3 littermates (n = 8 groups/treatment) and fed ad libitum. After the end of the dietary intervention (8 weeks of age), all the piglets were fed a standard commercial diet. Piglet behaviours in the home pens were scored, and skin lesions, growth, feed intake and feed efficiency were measured up to 8 weeks after the end of the dietary treatment, i.e. until 16 weeks of age. At the end of the dietary treatment (8 weeks of age), response to novelty was assessed in a combined open field and novel object test (OFT/NOT). During the weeks following weaning, piglets fed the postnatal HFS diet tended to be less aggressive (p = 0.06), but exhibited more oral manipulation of pen mates (p = 0.05) than controls. Compared to controls, piglets fed the prenatal or postnatal HFS diet walked more in the home pen (p ≤ 0.05), and tended to have fewer skin lesions (p < 0.10). Several behavioural effects of the postnatal HFS diet depended on the prenatal diet, with piglets subjected to a switch of diet at birth being more active, and exploring feeding materials, pen mates, and the environment more than piglets that remained on the same diet. Behaviours during the OFT/NOT were not affected by the diet. The intake of the postnatal HFS diet drastically reduced feed intake, but improved feed efficiency up to 8 weeks after the end of the dietary intervention, i.e. 16 weeks of age (p < 0.0001 for both). Our study highlights the key role of prenatal and postnatal nutritional interactions for early behavioural development, and reveals programming effects of early life nutrition on voluntary feed intake of piglets later in life.

Perceptions and Motivations to Prevent Heart Disease among Puerto Ricans.

We performed a qualitative assessment of Puerto Ricans' knowledge and perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and motivations/barriers and preferences to participate in community/ clinical programs for CVD-prevention. Four guided focus group discussions were conducted on a total of 24 Puerto Ricans, aged 40-60 years in Boston, MA. Participants were aware of CVD, but less knowledgeable about its prevention. They perceived it as serious, and either had CVD or knew someone who had it. They favored education and activities on nutrition, exercise, clinical advice, and social interaction, in weekly/ biweekly small-group sessions with other Latinos, led in Spanish by a familiar health professional, in a convenient community location. Age- and culture-specific program content and educational materials were preferred. A theme emerged on 'personal or family motivations' such as to become healthier and live longer so they would feel better and support their families, or to learn about CVD-prevention. Main barriers included family obligations, weather, safety concerns, transportation, and depressive mood. Culturally-tailored CVD-prevention programs for Puerto Ricans should include multiple behavioral and social approaches, and draw on intrinsic motivators while reducing barriers to help enhance efficacy and sustainability.

Nutritional ecology and the evolution of aging

Considerable progress has been made in understanding both evolutionary and mechanistic aspects of biological aging, although the two areas remain poorly integrated. We suggest that a greater emphasis on ecology can help to remedy this, by focusing on the interface between biological mechanisms and the environments in which they evolved by natural selection. Among the most salient aspects of the environment relevant to aging is nutrition, and yet in the bulk of aging research nutrition is coarsely represented as dietary restriction or caloric restriction, without consideration for how specific components of diet, beyond “energy” (the undifferentiated mix of macronutrients), are driving the observed effects. More recently, it has become clear that specific nutrients (notably amino acids) and interactions among nutrients (i.e., nutritional balance) play important roles in the biology of aging. We show how a method developed in nutritional ecology, called the Geometric Framework for nutrition, can help to understand the nutritional interactions of animals with their environments, by explicitly distinguishing the roles of calories, individual nutrients and nutrient balance. Central to these models are the active regulatory responses that animals use to mediate between variation in the nutritional environment and fitness-related consequences such as lifespan and reproduction. These homeostatic responses provide a guide for researchers that can help to link the biological mechanisms with evolutionary processes in the context of a multi-dimensional nutritional environment.

Feces Derived Allergens of Tyrophagus putrescentiae Reared on Dried Dog Food and Evidence of the Strong Nutritional Interaction between the Mite and Bacillus cereus Producing Protease Bacillolysins and Exo-chitinases.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank, 1781) is an emerging source of allergens in stored products and homes. Feces proteases are the major allergens of astigmatid mites (Acari: Acaridida). In addition, the mites are carriers of microorganisms and microbial adjuvant compounds that stimulate innate signaling pathways. We sought to analyze the mite feces proteome, proteolytic activities, and mite-bacterial interaction in dry dog food (DDF). Proteomic methods comprising enzymatic and zymographic analysis of proteases and 2D-E-MS/MS were performed. The highest protease activity was assigned to trypsin-like proteases; lower activity was assigned to chymotrypsin-like proteases, and the cysteine protease cathepsin B-like had very low activity. The 2D-E-MS/MS proteomic analysis identified mite trypsin allergen Tyr p3, fatty acid-binding protein Tyr p13 and putative mite allergens ferritin (Grp 30) and (poly)ubiquitins. Tyr p3 was detected at different positions of the 2D-E. It indicates presence of zymogen at basic pI, and mature-enzyme form and enzyme fragment at acidic pI. Bacillolysins (neutral and alkaline proteases) of Bacillus cereus symbiont can contribute to the protease activity of the mite extract. The bacterial exo-chitinases likely contribute to degradation of mite exuviae, mite bodies or food boluses consisting of chitin, including the peritrophic membrane. Thus, the chitinases disrupt the feces and facilitate release of the allergens. B. cereus was isolated and identified based on amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA and motB genes. B. cereus was added into high-fat, high-protein (DDF) and low-fat, low-protein (flour) diets to 1 and 5% (w/w), and the diets palatability was evaluated in 21-day population growth test. The supplementation of diet with B. cereus significantly suppressed population growth and the suppressive effect was higher in the high-fat, high-protein diet than in the low-fat, low-protein food. Thus, B. cereus has to coexist with the mite in balance to be beneficial for the mite. The mite-B. cereus symbiosis can be beneficial-suppressive at some level. The results increase the veterinary and medical importance of the allergens detected in feces. The B. cereus enzymes/toxins are important components of mite allergens. The strong symbiotic association of T. putrescentiae with B. cereus in DDF was indicated.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty with 1-year follow-up: factors predictive of success.

Background and study aims: Bariatric endoscopy has emerged as an aid in the nonsurgical treatment of obesity. The objective of this study is to critically provide the results and follow-up of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty 1 year after the procedure. Patients and methods: Prospective single-center follow-up study of 25 patients (5 men, 20 women) who underwent flexible endoscopic suturing for endoluminal gastric volume reduction. A multidisciplinary team provided post-procedure care. Patient outcomes were recorded at 1 year after the procedure. Linear regression analysis was done to evaluate the variables associated with best results at 1 year of follow-up. Results: Mean body mass index (BMI) was 38.5 ± 4.6 kg/m2 (range 30 – 47) and mean age 44.5 ± 8.2 years (range 29 – 60). At 1 year, 22 patients continued with the follow-up (2 dropped out at 6 months and 1 at 3 months). There were no major intra-procedural, early, or delayed adverse events. Mean BMI loss was 7.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2, and mean percentage of total body weight loss was 18.7 ± 10.7 at 1 year. In the linear regression analysis, adjusted by initial BMI, variables associated with %TBWL involved the frequency of nutritional (β = 0.563, P = 0.014) and psychological contacts (β = 0.727, P = 0.025). The number of nutritional and psychological contacts were predictive of good weight loss results. Conclusions: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty is a feasible, reproducible, and effective procedure to treat obesity. Nutritional and psychological interaction are predictive of success.

Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition and stoichiometry in the response of maize to various N rates under different rotation systems

Better understanding of plant nutrition and nutrient interactions is of critical importance for developing best management practices in crop production. A three-year study was conducted to examine N and P nutrition and their association in maize as affected by rotation system, N application rate and hybrid maize. Rotation by N treatments were composed of maize–alfalfa (MA), maize–soybean (MS) and continuous maize (MM), fertilized in maize year at 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1, respectively. The two maize varieties were glyphosate-resistant (RR) non-Bt (non-Bt) and stacked RR + Bt near-isoline (Bt) hybrids. Our data showed that grain yield, stover, and total aboveground (or shoot) dry matter, N and P uptake (except for stover P) in amounts followed the order MA > MS > MM and were well responsive to N rates. Grain and shoot N and P contents of Bt maize was greater (P < 0.05) than those of non-Bt hybrid in MM. The N:P ratio was positively correlated with N application rates, and was greater in rotational maize than in MM. Both hybrids attained their maximum yields at approximately 201 kg ha−1 of grain N and 255 kg ha−1 of shoot N, corresponding to 36 and 43 kg P ha−1 in grain and shoot. Nitrogen harvest index, P harvest index and nutrient internal efficiency were responsive to N rates but were not different between the hybrids. This study revealed that the critical grain and shoot N content achieving maximum yield appeared to concomitantly result in high P contents.

Characterisation of haematological profiles and whole blood relative gene expression levels in Holstein-Friesian and Jersey bull calves undergoing gradual weaning

Haematological profiles indicate the health status of an animal and can be used to identify sub-clinical stress responses. The objectives of the study were to examine (i) the effect of breed and plane of nutrition, on haematological profiles of artificially reared Holstein-Friesian and Jersey bull calves in response to gradual weaning, and (ii) the effect of breed on immune response genes in bovine whole blood using real-time quantitative PCR. Holstein-Friesian and Jersey bull calves were group housed indoors and individually fed using an automatic feeder. They were allocated to a high, medium or low plane of nutrition, based on milk replacer (MR) and concentrate. The nutrition treatments were calculated using National Research Council guidelines in order to achieve a high, medium or low growth rate for each respective breed. During the weaning phase MR was gradually reduced over a 14-day (d) period (d −13 to d 0). Calves were blood sampled on d −14, −6, −3, 0, 1, 3, 8 and 14 relative to weaning (d 0) for subsequent haematological analysis. On d −14, 1 and 8, a subset of eight Holstein-Friesian calves randomly selected from the medium nutrition treatment and eight Jersey calves randomly selected from the high nutrition treatment, were blood sampled for gene expression profiling, targeting biomarkers of weaning stress. These two treatment groups were chosen to examine the effect of breed on expression of the genes of interest, as energy intake and animal performance were similar. There was no effect of breed×plane of nutrition interaction nor effect of plane of nutrition on any variable measured (P>0.05). Gradual weaning produced differential biological responses in the two breeds evidenced by breed×time interactions for lymphocyte, monocyte and red blood cell number, plasma haemoglobin and haptoglobin concentrations (P<0.05). The typical stress response consisting of neutrophilia and lymphopaenia was not observed for any treatment. An immune response to gradual weaning was observed as the relative gene expression level of the pro-apoptotic gene, Fas, increased on d 1 relative to d −14 (P<0.05). Relative gene expression levels were greater in Jersey calves compared with Holstein-Friesian for the pro-inflammatory cytokine CXCL8 (P=0.05) and the glucocorticoid receptor, GRα (P<0.05). The increased levels of these transcripts suggest that Jersey calves may have a more sensitive immune system compared with Holstein-Friesian.

Maternal nutritional status as a contributing factor for the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Compare nutritional status of 57 South African mothers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) with 148 mothers of controls. Dietary data were analyzed for macronutrients, micronutrients, and fats via estimated average requirements (EAR) and adequate intakes (AI) for pregnant women. Virtually all mothers were likely deficient on most micronutrients by either EAR (<50%) or AI values. Mothers of FASD children consumed more of 13 of 25 micronutrients. For percentage below EAR, only vitamin D was significantly higher for FASD mothers. Despite no difference in total food intake, control mothers had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) than FASD mothers. Maternal BMI is more significant for positive child outcomes than any individual nutrient. Most mothers have inadequate dietary intake. Minor advantages in nutrient intake are overpowered by teratogenic effects of alcohol. Further study is needed of the interaction of alcohol, maternal nutrition, and metabolism.

Multiple Integrated Complementary Healing Approaches: Energetics & Light for bone

A synergistic-healing strategy that combines molecular targeting within a system-wide perspective is presented as the Multiple Integrated Complementary Healing Approaches: Energetics And Light (MICHAEL). The basis of the MICHAEL approach is the realization that environmental, nutritional and electromagnetic factors form a regulatory framework involved in bone and nerve healing. The interactions of light, energy, and nutrition with neural, hormonal and cellular pathways will be presented. Energetic therapies including electrical, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and light based treatments affect growth, differentiation and proliferation of bone and nerve and can be utilized for their healing benefits. However, the benefits of these therapies can be impaired by the absence of nutritional, hormonal and organismal factors. For example, lack of sleep, disrupted circadian rhythms and vitamin-D deficiency can impair healing. Molecular targets, such as the Wnt pathway, protein kinase B and glucocorticoid signaling systems can be modulated by nutritional components, including quercetin, curcumin and Mg2+ to enhance the healing process. The importance of water and water-regulation will be presented as an integral component. The effects of exercise and acupuncture on bone healing will also be discussed within the context of the MICHAEL approach.

New Insights into the Pros and Cons of the Clinical Use of Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) Versus Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs).

Vitamin K-antagonists (VKA) are the most widely used anticoagulant drugs to treat patients at risk of arterial and venous thrombosis for the past 50 years. Due to unfavorable pharmacokinetics VKA have a small therapeutic window, require frequent monitoring, and are susceptible to drug and nutritional interactions. Additionally, the effect of VKA is not limited to coagulation, but affects all vitamin K-dependent proteins. As a consequence, VKA have detrimental side effects by enhancing medial and intimal calcification. These limitations stimulated the development of alternative anticoagulant drugs, resulting in direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) drugs, which specifically target coagulation factor Xa and thrombin. DOACs also display non-hemostatic vascular effects via protease-activated receptors (PARs). As atherosclerosis is characterized by a hypercoagulable state indicating the involvement of activated coagulation factors in the genesis of atherosclerosis, anticoagulation could have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis. Additionally, accumulating evidence demonstrates vascular benefit from high vitamin K intake. This review gives an update on oral anticoagulant treatment on the vasculature with a special focus on calcification and vitamin K interaction.

Nitrate reductase mutation alters potassium nutrition as well as nitric oxide-mediated control of guard cell ion channels in Arabidopsis.

Maintaining potassium (K(+) ) nutrition and a robust guard cell K(+) inward channel activity is considered critical for plants' adaptation to fluctuating and challenging growth environment. ABA induces stomatal closure through hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) along with subsequent ion channel-mediated loss of K(+) and anions. However, the interactions of NO synthesis and signalling with K(+) nutrition and guard cell K(+) channel activities have not been fully explored in Arabidopsis. Physiological and molecular techniques were employed to dissect the interaction of nitrogen and potassium nutrition in regulating stomatal opening, CO2 assimilation and ion channel activity. These data, gene expression and ABA signalling transduction were compared in wild-type Columbia-0 (Col-0) and the nitrate reductase mutant nia1nia2. Growth and K(+) nutrition were impaired along with stomatal behaviour, membrane transport, and expression of genes associated with ABA signalling in the nia1nia2 mutant. ABA-inhibited K(+) in current and ABA-enhanced slow anion current were absent in nia1nia2. Exogenous NO restored regulation of these channels for complete stomatal closure in nia1nia2. While NO is an important signalling component in ABA-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis, our findings demonstrate a more complex interaction associating potassium nutrition and nitrogen metabolism in the nia1nia2 mutant that affects stomatal function.