Macronutrient Supply Research Articles

Структурно-функціональний стан кісткової тканини в дітей у період другого ростового спурту

The period of intensive growth of children is accompanied by active processes of modeling and remodeling of bone tissue. The formation of bone tissue depends on many factors, but first of all it is an adequate supply of essential nutrients to the child, which primarily include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D. Depending on the level of mineralization of bone tissue in children during intensive growth will depend on whether the bone tissue reaches the peak of bone mass accumulation. Adequate mineralization of bone tissue is the key to bone health in the future, which will be realized in reducing the number of low-energy fractures and, accordingly - in improving the quality of life in the elderly. Purpose - to establish the peculiarities of the state of bone tissue in children during the growth spurt, depending on the status of vitamin D and indicators of mineral metabolism. Materials and methods. 205 children aged 9-17 years were examined, which were divided into groups depending on the presence of growth spurt (GS) and its intensity. The examination included analysis of anamnesis data, assessment of physical and sexual development levels, ultrasound and X-ray (DXA) densitometry, determination of levels of total and ionized calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D. Results. Ultrasound densitometry showed a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) in 24 children (48.0%) (Z-score -1.8±0.56) I group; 28 children (60.87%) (Z-score -1.96±0.27) group II and 43 children (39.45%) (Z-score -1.68±0.72) group III. 32 children were examined with DXA, 18 of them (56.25%) were diagnosed with decreased BMD. In children of group I who had reduced BMD, the average level of vitamin 25-(OH)-D was 39.04±11.84 nmol/l, while in children with normal BMD - 42.43±6.3 nmol/l. In children of group II BMD in which it was reduced, the average level of 25- (OH)-D was 45.68±5.48 nmol/l; at normal BMD - 45,47±4,69 nmol/l. Children of group III with reduced BMD had an average level of 25-(OH)-D 36.73±8.94 nmol/l; with a normal BMD - 42.91±9.1 nmol/l. The average indicators of calcium supply in the groups are as follows: in children of group I - the level of total calcium was 2.22±0.15 mmol/l, ionized calcium - 1.12±0.28 mmol\l; in children of group II - the level of total calcium 2.13±0.11 mmol/l, the level of ionized calcium 0.99±0.10 mmol/l; in children of group III - the level of total calcium 2.26±0.18 mmol/l, the level of ionized calcium 1.12±0.10 mmol/l. The average levels of magnesium were as follows: Group I - 0.96±0.44 mmol/l; Group II - 0.89±0.11 mmol/l; Group III - 0.85±0.19 mmol/l. When determining the average levels of phosphorus, the following data were obtained: Group I - 1.47±0.22 mmol/l; Group II - 1.5±0.23 mmol/l; Group III - 1.49±0.23 mmol l. Conclusions. Decreased bone mineral density in children during growth spurt is due to deficiency or deficiency of vitamin D and low supply of macronutrients - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium. However, the most significant factor in reducing BMD is the lag in the processes of bone mass accumulation against the background of intensive linear skeletal growth. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: growth spurt, bone tissue, vitamin D, densitometry, calcium.

Stress-induced increase of monoclonal antibody production in CHO cells.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are of great interest to the biopharmaceutical industry due to their widely used application as human therapeutic and diagnostic agents. As such, mAb require to exhibit human‐like glycolization patterns. Therefore, recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the favored production organisms; many relevant biopharmaceuticals are already produced by this cell type. To optimize the mAb yield in CHO DG44 cells a corelation between stress‐induced cell size expansion and increased specific productivity was investigated. CO2 and macronutrient supply of the cells during a 12‐day fed‐batch cultivation process were tested as stress factors. Shake flasks (500 mL) and a small‐scale bioreactor system (15 mL) were used for the cultivation experiments and compared in terms of their effect on cell diameter, integral viable cell concentration (IVCC), and cell‐specific productivity. The achieved stress‐induced increase in cell‐specific productivity of up to 94.94.9%–134.4% correlates to a cell diameter shift of up to 7.34 μm. The highest final product titer of 4 g/L was reached by glucose oversupply during the batch phase of the process.

Oceanic Rossby waves drive inter-annual predictability of net primary production in the central tropical Pacific

In the Pacific Ocean, off-equatorial Rossby waves (RWs), initiated by atmosphere-ocean interaction, modulate the inter-annual variability of the thermocline. In this study, we explore the resulting potential gain in predictability of central tropical Pacific primary production, which in this region strongly depends on the supply of macronutrients from below the thermocline. We use a decadal prediction system based on the Max Planck Institute Earth system model to demonstrate that for the time period 1998–2014 properly initialized RWs explain an increase in predictability of net primary productivity (NPP) in the off-equatorial central tropical Pacific. We show that, for up to 5 years in advance, predictability of NPP derived from the decadal prediction system is significantly larger than that derived from persistence alone, or an uninitialized historical simulation. The predicted signal can be explained by the following mechanism: off-equatorial RWs are initiated in the eastern Pacific and travel towards the central tropical Pacific on a time scale of 2–6 years. On their arrival the RWs modify the depths of both thermocline and nutricline, which is fundamental to the availability of nutrients in the euphotic layer. Local upwelling transports nutrients from below the nutricline into the euphotic zone, effectively transferring the RW signal to the near-surface ocean. While we show that skillful prediction of central off-equatorial tropical Pacific NPP is possible, we open the door for establishing predictive systems for food web and ecosystem services in that region.

Water-soluble vitamins in the feed of high-yield lactating cows during the milking period

The aim of the work is to show how to increase the productivity of cows, to improve the feeding system, to introduce intensive, promising, effective, resource-saving milk production technologies, including the implementation of measures for the production and use of domestic vitamin feed products (preparations). The studies were carried out by the example of highly productive dairy cows with an annual productivity of over 6000 kg of milk per lactation. The type of feeding is the silage – hayage silage concentrate, the rations are balanced in terms of nutrients, biologically active substances and metabolic energy. It corresponded to the generally accepted norms of animal feeding in the country (M., RAAS, 2003). The diets of cows during the milking period included Vitaminol and a phytocomplex (of 13 medicinal forage herbs), 10 g, 15 g and 20 g per head per day. When milking cows (100 days), fed with Vitaminol, more milk was produced ranging from 2.7 to 9.9 %, the phytocomplex increased milk yield from 8.4 to 16.3 %. The consumption of metabolic energy of diets per 1 kg of milk is lower in cows of the experimental groups when using different doses of Vitaminol ranging from 2.8 to 9.9 %, and the phytocomplex allowed ranging it from 8.3 to 16.1 % compared to the control variant. To increase metabolic processes in the body, productivity and supply of water-soluble vitamins and mineral macronutrients in cows under the conditions of a year-round stable method of keeping, the rations included the optimal dose of Vitaminol and the phytocomplex (separately) amounting to 20 g per head a day. Vitaminol serves to replenish the body of highly productive lactating cows during the period of milk production with missing biologically active substances, vitamin nutritional value of milk, increase the digestibility of organic substances in rations, and improve metabolic processes.

Noncoding-RNA-Mediated Regulation in Response to Macronutrient Stress in Plants.

Macronutrient elements including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) are required in relatively large and steady amounts for plant growth and development. Deficient or excessive supply of macronutrients from external environments may trigger a series of plant responses at phenotypic and molecular levels during the entire life cycle. Among the intertwined molecular networks underlying plant responses to macronutrient stress, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), may serve as pivotal regulators for the coordination between nutrient supply and plant demand, while the responsive ncRNA-target module and the interactive mechanism vary among elements and species. Towards a comprehensive identification and functional characterization of nutrient-responsive ncRNAs and their downstream molecules, high-throughput sequencing has produced massive omics data for comparative expression profiling as a first step. In this review, we highlight the recent findings of ncRNA-mediated regulation in response to macronutrient stress, with special emphasis on the large-scale sequencing efforts for screening out candidate nutrient-responsive ncRNAs in plants, and discuss potential improvements in theoretical study to provide better guidance for crop breeding practices.

Nitrogen, Calcium, and Magnesium Inconsistently Affect Tree Growth, Fruit Yield, and Juice Quality of Huanglongbing-affected Orange Trees

The bacterial disease Huanglongbing (HLB) has drastically reduced citrus production in Florida. Nutrients play an important role in plant defense mechanisms and new approaches to manage the disease with balanced nutrition are emerging. Nutrients like nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) could extend the productive life of affected trees, although interactions among these nutrients in HLB-affected citrus trees are still unclear. A 2-year study was established in Florida to determine the response of HLB-affected trees to applications of N, Ca, and Mg. The study was conducted with ‘Valencia’ trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) on Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) rootstock on a Candler sand. Applications of N at 168, 224 (recommended rate), and 280 kg⋅ha−1 N were used as the main plots. Split-plots consisted of a grower standard treatment receiving only basal Ca (51 kg⋅ha−1) and Mg (56 kg⋅ha−1); supplemental Ca (total Ca inputs: 96 kg⋅ha−1) only; supplemental Mg (total Mg inputs: 101 kg⋅ha−1) only; and supplemental Ca (total Ca inputs: 73.5 kg⋅ha−1) and Mg (total Mg inputs: 78.5 kg⋅ha−1). The following variables were measured: tree size, fruit yield, and juice quality. Although some differences in tree growth among treatments were statistically significant (e.g., greater canopy volume with Mg fertilization at 168 kg⋅ha−1 N), there was no clear and consistent effect of plant nutrition on these variables. Fruit yield was higher with Ca and Mg relative to the grower standard at the lowest N rate in 2020, and there were no other statistically significant differences among treatments. Juice acidity was significantly higher with Mg fertilization relative to other treatments in 2019. As N rates had no significant effect in this study, unlike secondary macronutrients, N rates could potentially be reduced to 168 kg N⋅ha−1 in HLB-affected citrus without affecting vegetative growth, fruit yield, and juice quality. However, this will require optimizing the supply of secondary macronutrients and all other nutrients to develop a balanced nutritional program. Ultimately, the effects of N, Ca, and Mg obtained in this 2-year study should be confirmed with longer-term studies conducted at multiple sites.

Metabolic and endocrine responses to short-term nutrient imbalances in the feed ration of mid-lactation dairy cows

Short-term imbalances of dietary nutrients occur during natural fluctuations in roughage quality (e.g. on pasture) or temporal shortages of supplementary feed components. In contrast to a deficiency, macronutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids) beyond the adequate supply with other nutrients may, for instance, alter milk composition, increase BW or result in a greater excretion of nitrogen. Especially dairy cows with a moderate performance, in mid- or late lactation, or in extensive farming systems may be exposed to imbalanced rations. A better understanding of metabolic and endocrine responses depending on macronutrient supply may help to precisely feed dairy cows. The present study investigated short-term metabolic and endocrine responses to different levels of concentrates formulated to particularly provide one major macronutrient source (carbohydrates, proteins or lipids). Based on parity number, lactational stage, milk yield and BW, nine mid-lactating cows (211 ± 19 days in milk) were grouped into three blocks of three animals each. Concentrates (aminogenic: rich in CP and nitrogen sources; glucogenic: high content of carbohydrates and glucogenic precursors; lipogenic: high lipid content) were fed in addition to hay in a factorial arrangement at increasing levels from 2.5 to 7.5 kg/d during 9 d. Milk yield, BW and feed intake were recorded daily. Blood and milk were sampled every 3 d at the end of each concentrate level. Milk fat, protein, lactose and urea contents were determined. In blood, concentrations of various metabolites, endocrine factors and enzyme activities (e.g. glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucagon, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and glutamate dehydrogenase activity (GLDH)) were measured. Milk yield, milk composition and BW were not affected by type and level of concentrates. Feed intake increased in cows with greater amounts of the aminogenic and lipogenic concentrate compared with the glucogenic concentrate. Milk and plasma urea concentrations were elevated in the aminogenic and to a lesser extent in the lipogenic treatment compared with the glucogenic treatment. Glucose concentrations in plasma were not affected by treatments, whereas insulin and glucagon increased, and NEFA concentrations decreased only in cows fed 7.5 kg/d aminogenic concentrate compared with the glucogenic and lipogenic treatment. Activities of ASAT, GGT and GLDH as well as the total antioxidant capacity were not affected by diets. In conclusion, immediate metabolic and endocrine responses were observed due to the short-term dietary changes. Particularly, a surplus of nitrogen supply via the aminogenic diet affected metabolic responses and stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion.

The influence of transpiration on foliar accumulation of salt and nutrients under salinity in poplar (Populus × canescens).

Increasing salinity is one of the major drawbacks for plant growth. Besides the ion itself being toxic to plant cells, it greatly interferes with the supply of other macronutrients like potassium, calcium and magnesium. However, little is known about how sodium affects the translocation of these nutrients from the root to the shoot. The major driving force of this translocation process is thought to be the water flow through the xylem driven by transpiration. To dissect the effects of transpiration from those of salinity we compared salt stressed, ABA treated and combined salt- and ABA treated poplars with untreated controls. Salinity reduced the root content of major nutrients like K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Less Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the roots resulted in reduced leaf Ca2+ and leaf Mg2+ levels due to reduced stomatal conductance and reduced transpiration. Interestingly, leaf K+ levels were positively affected in leaves under salt stress although there was less K+ in the roots under salt. In response to ABA, transpiration was also decreased and Mg2+ and Ca2+ levels decreased comparably to the salt stress treatment, while K+ levels were not affected. Thus, our results suggest that loading and retention of leaf K+ is enhanced under salt stress compared to merely transpiration driven cation supply.

English

BACKGROUND Breakfast is an important meal since it refuels the body after long night fasting. Regular intake of breakfast must have favourable supply of both micronutrients and macronutrients to maintain a body mass index (BMI) in the normal range. Despite its importance, the rate of skipping breakfast is observed to be alarmingly increasing among medical students. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to understand the dietary patterns, and physical activity level, and analyse the association of skipping breakfast with obesity among medical students. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 174 medical undergraduate students aged between 18 and 23 years in a tertiary care teaching hospital from August 2019 to October 2019. A pretested, semi-structured, validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the profile, physical activity, food consumption pattern, and perception about the importance of breakfast meal. Regression analysis was done. Odds ratio was calculated. RESULTS About 23.6 % and 27 % of the study participants were found to be overweight and obese respectively. Only 51.1 % of study participants were involved in physical activity. 17.2 % of medical students skipped their breakfast regularly and 71.6 % were aware that skipping breakfast would affect work efficacy and span of concentration. Age group of 22 – 23 years (OR: 19.5, 95 % CI; 2.08, 183.70) was significantly associated with obesity. Skipping breakfast (OR, 0.45, 95 % CI: 0.23, 0.90) was not found to be associated with obesity. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that more than one fourth participants were obese and one third were skipping breakfast daily or more than thrice a week. There was no association between obesity and skipping of breakfast meal. However, the importance of breakfast meal in a day cannot be ignored. Awareness programs to practice healthy eating habits might help in prevention of obesity and overweight among students. KEY WORDS Breakfast, Exercise, Obesity, Body Mass Index, Students, Medical

Nanomolar phosphate supply and its recycling drive net community production in the subtropical North Pacific

Seasonal drawdown of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the subtropical upper ocean makes a significant contribution to net community production (NCP) globally. Although NCP requires macronutrient supply, surface macronutrients are chronically depleted, and their supply has been unable to balance the NCP demand. Here, we report nanomolar increases in surface nitrate plus nitrite (N+N, ~20 nM) and phosphate (PO4, ~15 nM) from summer to winter in the western subtropical North Pacific. Molar ratios of upward fluxes of DIC:N+N:PO4 to the euphotic zone (< 100 m) were in near-stoichiometric balance with microbial C:N:P ratios (107~243:16~35:1). Comparison of these upward influxes with other atmospheric and marine sources demonstrated that total supply is largely driven by the other sources for C and N (93~96%), but not for P (10%), suggesting that nanomolar upward supply of P and its preferential recycling play a vital role in sustaining the NCP.

Antarctic Polar Front migrations in the Kerguelen Plateau region, Southern Ocean, over the past 360 kyrs

In the Southern Ocean (SO), climate-driven latitudinal migrations of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) frontal system impact large-scale ocean circulation and primary productivity. Latitudinal migrations may not have been identical in all SO basins due to the presence or absence of regional bathymetric obstacles. The Antarctic Polar Front (APF), defined by the 3–5 °C surface temperature range and the 2 °C subsurface temperature minimum at 200 m, is particularly important for nutrient redistribution and biodiversity, influencing the soft tissue carbon pump in the modern SO. However, previous assessments of its migrations in the past, mostly based on a single metric or indirect observations, were not always robust. Here, we combine a new proxy for subsurface temperature (sub-ST) reconstructions based on radiolarian assemblages (sub-STrad), with relative abundance variations of key radiolarian species, and sea-surface temperatures (SST) reconstructions, based on diatom assemblages (SSTdiat), to refine estimations of the past mean APF locations in the Kerguelen Plateau (KP) region. Data from three sediment cores on a south (55°S) to north (47°S) transect are used to trace the mean APF locations for three climate states, glacials, peak-interglacials and mild-interglacials. Our results suggest that the APF, presently located south of Kerguelen Islands, shifted by 6–7 degrees of latitude and was located north of the KP during all glacial periods of the last 360 kyrs. This suggests that the ACC major flow interacted less with the bottom topography relative to its modern counterpart, probably resulting in less mixing of the water column over and in the lee of the KP. We propose that this process participated in the isolation of Antarctic surface waters (AASW) and in the reduction of macro-nutrient supply, thus resulting in lower regional productivity. During the warmer-than-present early interglacial periods, the APF probably migrated south by ~5 degrees of latitude relative to its modern position, to pass through the Fawn Trough. Contrary to glacial periods, the APF was forced in an “S” shape while the ACC main flow was constrained against the northern tip of the KP. In this configuration, a stronger interaction between the ACC, its associated fronts, and topography is expected, resulting in more mixing of the water column over and east of the KP. Congruently, siliceous productivity was probably restrained to latitudes south of the Fawn Trough. • New approach to estimate Southern Ocean fronts migrations in the past. • Comparison of sea-surface and subsurface temperature records over the last 360 kyrs. • APF positioned north of the Kerguelen Plateau during glacials. • APF located in the Fawn Trough during early warm interglacials. • Potential impact of ACC and associated fronts shifts on water column mixing.

English

In the traditional cropping systems of Benin Republic, soybean is mostly cultivated with no mineral fertilizer supply, despite the decrease of soil fertility. Furthermore, there is no specific fertilizer available for the crop, in spite of its cash crop character. This leads to weak crop yield in the farmers&rsquo; fields. The present study aims to determine the optimal doses of each N, P, K, Mg and Zn nutrient to improve soybean production in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones of Benin Republic. Two years (2018 and 2019) experiment has been carried out in Ouess&egrave; district (Sudano-Guinean zone) and Bemb&egrave;r&egrave;k&egrave; district (Sudanian zone). Box and Behnken rotating design was used to define N, P, K, Mg and Zn dose combinations leading to 46 combinations. A completely randomized block design was set up considering farmers as replication. In total four farmers&rsquo; fields are selected. A one-way analysis of variance is made on the yield data, using the linear mixed-effect model. Response surface analyses are used to determine the optimal dose for each N, P, K, Mg and Zn. The supply of macronutrients combined with Zn, significantly (p = 0.001) improved the soybean grain and above biomass yields as well as the harvest index. The quadratic models were efficient (R&sup2; &gt; 0.7) to estimate soybean grain yields considering the nutrient dose variation. The optimal N, P, K, Mg and Zn doses of 15.46, 23.20, 28.6, 16.8 and 6.9 kg.ha-1, respectively (for the Sudano-Guinean zone) and 14.02, 23.89, 17.82, 11.45 and 4.26 kg.ha-1, respectively (for the Sudanian zone) lead to an optimal seed yield of 2 t.ha-1 (that is, almost 2.2 times the yield in the farmers&rsquo; field). The development of fertilizer formulas using these determined optimal doses would constitute a suitable technology helping to increase soybean production in both areas. Key words: Soil fertility, biofortication, Box and Behnken design, linear mixed-effect model, leguminous, response surface, micronutrient.

Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Micro- and Macro-Nutrient Intakes and Trajectories of Macro-Nutrient Supply in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is experiencing a nutrition transition, characterized by the emergence of overnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. No previous study has comparatively examined nutrient intake in adults across countries in the EMR. This review examined the adequacy of nutrients in adults living in the EMR. Moreover, it analyzed the food balance sheets (FBS) for 1961–2018 to identify the trajectory of energy supply from macro-nutrients in the EMR. A systematic search was conducted from January 2012 to September 2020. Only observational studies were retained with a random sampling design. An assessment of the methodological quality was conducted. Levels of nutrient daily intake and their adequacy compared to the daily reference intake of the Institute of Medicine were reported across the region. No studies were identified for half of the region’s countries. Although nutrient energy intake was satisfactory overall, fat and carbohydrate intake were high. Intake of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium were below that recommended. The analysis of the FBS data allowed for the identification of four linear patterns of trajectories, with countries in the EMR best fitting the ‘high-energy-supply from carbohydrate’ group. This systematic review warrants multi-sectorial commitment to optimize nutrient intake.

Iron Regulation of North Atlantic Eddy Phytoplankton Productivity

AbstractCyclonic ocean eddies drive upwelling of deep waters enhanced in nutrients, which can elevate phytoplankton productivity. At mid‐latitudes in the North Atlantic, satellite images show enhanced chlorophyll‐a associated with eddies. However, surface macronutrient concentrations are often not fully depleted in this region, implying enhanced macronutrient supply is not the primary control. We conducted high resolution sampling through two mid‐latitude Atlantic eddies in late spring, located 800 and 350 km east of the Newfoundland Grand Banks. Waters outside of both eddies had unused residual macronutrients, low dissolved iron, and iron‐stressed phytoplankton. Inside both eddies, plankton biomass was higher and macronutrient concentrations lower. However, full macronutrient drawdown and an absence of iron stress were only present in the eddy nearer the continental shelf. From these two examples, iron supply and proximity to shelf iron sources appear to be important factors regulating productivity and macronutrient utilization in mid‐latitude North Atlantic cyclonic eddies.

Intensive olive production at Levantine sites. New data from Fadous-Kfarabida and Khirbet-ez Zeraqon

During the third millennium BCE, the Levant experienced an increase in social complexity, visible in the emergence of urban forms and centralised institutions. Specialised agricultural production, particularly of olives, has long been considered a key factor in this transformation. This paper uses charcoal and seed analysis of remains from the Early Bronze Age II-III sites of Tell Fadous-Kfarabida in Lebanon and Khirbet-ez Zeraqon in Jordan, alongside a comparative analysis of published data, to investigate this phenomenon. Olive was an important crop at both sites but Khirbet-ez Zeraqon is situated within a more arid inland location, away from the natural distribution of wild olive, whereas Tell Fadous-Kfarabida had a much lusher vegetation, and was within the distribution of wild olive. While important, olive was possibly not the major crop in terms of macro-nutrient supply in Khirbet-ez Zeraqon but it played a more dominant role in Fadous-Kfarabida. The measurements of the olive stones from both sites show a high variance compared to other sites. At Khirbet-ez Zeraqon this may have been due to specialization by using several cultivars and/or applying irrigation and/or fluctuations in rainfall. At Fadous-Kfarabida morphological wild olives were possibly included in the production as well, which may relate to the development of new olive strains and a likely higher engagement in experimentation. Although an overall linear trend of increasing mean olive stone length, occasionally described as “domestication syndrome”, can be detected for the southern Levant between 7 and 2 kyr BP, the Early Bronze Age measurement data from Fadous-Kfarabida and Khirbet-ez Zeraqon are outside the confidence band of the regression line and indicate that higher variability in some sites can blur a straightforward recognition of the “domestication syndrome”. There seem to have been varied local practices in cultivation and domestication in the Early Bronze Age Levant.

Variations in N-linked glycosylation of glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM-1) whey protein: Intercow differences and dietary effects

In bovine milk serum, the whey proteins with the highest N-glycan contribution are lactoferrin, IgG, and glycosylation-dependent cellular adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM-1); GlyCAM-1 is the dominant N-linked glycoprotein in bovine whey protein products. Whey proteins are base ingredients in a range of food products, including infant formulas. Glycan monosaccharide composition and variation thereof may affect functionality, such as the interaction of glycans with the immune system via recognition receptors. It is therefore highly relevant to understand whether and how the glycosylation of whey proteins (and their functionality) can be modulated. We recently showed that the glycoprofile of GlyCAM-1 varies between cows and during early lactation, whereas the glycoprofile of lactoferrin was highly constant. In the current study, we evaluated intercow differences and the effects of macronutrient supply on the N-linked glycosylation profiles of the major whey proteins in milk samples of Holstein-Friesian cows. Overall, approximately 60% of the N-glycan pool in milk protein was sialylated, or fucosylated, or both; GlyCAM-1 contributed approximately 78% of the total number of glycans in the overall whey protein N-linked glycan pool. The degree of fucosylation ranged from 44.8 to 73.3% between cows, and this variation was mainly attributed to the glycans of GlyCAM-1. Dietary supplementation with fat or protein did not influence the overall milk serum glycoprofile. Postruminal infusion of palm olein, glucose, and essential AA resulted in shifts in the degree of GlyCAM-1 fucosylation within individual cows, ranging in some cases from 50 to 71% difference in degree of fucosylation, regardless of treatment. Overall, these data demonstrate that the glycosylation, and particularly fucosylation, of GlyCAM-1 was variable, although these shifts appear to be related more to individual cow variation than to nutrient supply. To our knowledge, this is the first report of variation in glycosylation of a milk glycoprotein in mature, noncolostral milk. The functional implications of variable GlyCAM-1 fucosylation remain to be investigated.

Adaptability of Soil pH through Innovative Microbial Approach

Soil pH is a critical characteristic that regulates the abundance of essential nutrients in the soil system. Low soil pH reduces the supply of secondary macronutrients, whereas higher pH restricts soil micronutrient availability. In addition, soil nutrient sources such as organic and inorganic fertilizers by plants require an adequate pH for optimum plant growth and productivity. The soil pH is regarded as the “master of soil indices", which has a role to play in controlling biogeochemical cycles that influence plant growth. It also has an enormous influence on microbial biodiversity in the soil. Various approaches have been used to alter the soil pH, demonstrating that it is not easy to adjust soil pH. Therefore, a suitable but practical approach is required to control or change the pH of the rhizosphere. Microbial breeding technique such as genome replication may be an appropriate option to alter the pH of the rhizosphere. Genetically engineered microbes may have the exceptional ability to release sufficient acidic or basic compounds that could increase or decrease the pH levels in the rhizosphere. In recent years, this view has helped answer some common evolutionary concerns regarding how bacteria and their host species have evolved from their early ancestors. Greater exploitation of microbes in this respect would be necessary for sustainable crop production and helping to resolve issues related to soil-plant interactions for nutrients. To breed the microbes selectively for optimal nutritional interaction with plants, the genetic components of different traits must first be explored.

Low concentration fertigation solution allows greater macronutrient use efficiency in coffee seedlings

Coffee seedling production in tubes and substrate results in lower sanitary risk and costs. With the use of small containers and nutrient-poor substrates, fertilization, including fertigation, is necessary for seedling development. An experiment was conducted with three macronutrient concentrations (electrical conductivities of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 dS m-1) and a control (non-fertilized), using Coffea arabica cv. Topázio seedlings in 50 cm3 tubes and composted pine bark-based substrate. The following (in g m-3 of water) were used in the nutrient solution with EC of 1.0 dS m-1: Ca(NO3)2 (400), KNO3 (250), MgSO4 (175), (NH4)PO4 (50) and ConMicros Standard® (25). In the solutions with 2.0 and 3.0 dS m-1, macronutrient concentration was doubled and tripled, while micronutrients remained the same. At four months we assessed EC and pH of the solution drained, shoot dry mass, shoot nutrient concentration and accumulation and macronutrient efficiency use. Fertigation with 1.0 and 2.0 dS m-1 produced seedlings with greater mass (+10%) than fertigation with 3.0 dS m-1, higher macronutrient supply increased shoot N, P, K, Mg and S concentration. Fertigation of 2.0 dS m-1 caused greater shoot N, P, K and Ca accumulation and this conductivity also resulted in higher accumulation of B, Fe, Mn and Zn without increasing the micronutrient supply. The response to the increase in Ca in the nutrient solution is evident in the accumulation of this nutrient in the plant but not its concentration, possibly due to the dilution effect. Micronutrient accumulation in this species is also more adequate for determining nutritional status than the concentration in the plant. The least concentrated macronutrient solution increases nutrient use efficiency in C. arabica seedlings as well as being economically and environmentally more sustainable. Key words: Coffea arabica; Electrical conductivity; pH; Nutrition; Substrate.

Global associations between macronutrient supply and age-specific mortality

Animal experiments have demonstrated that energy intake and the balance of macronutrients determine life span and patterns of age-specific mortality (ASM). Similar effects have also been detected in epidemiological studies in humans. Using global supply data and 1,879 life tables from 103 countries, we test for these effects at a macrolevel: between the nutrient supplies of nations and their patterns of ASM. We find that macronutrient supplies are strong predictors of ASM even after correction for time and economic factors. Globally, signatures of undernutrition are evident in the effects of low supply on life expectancy at birth and high mortality across ages, even as recently as 2016. However, in wealthy countries, the effects of overnutrition are prominent, where high supplies particularly from fats and carbohydrates are predicted to lead to high levels of mortality. Energy supplied at around 3,500 kcal/cap/d minimized mortality across ages. However, we show that the macronutrient composition of energy supply that minimizes mortality varies with age. In early life, 40 to 45% energy from each of fat and carbohydrate and 16% from protein minimizes mortality. In later life, replacing fat with carbohydrates to around 65% of total energy and reducing protein to 11% is associated with the lowest level of mortality. These results, particularly those regarding fats, accord both with experimental data from animals and within-country epidemiological studies on the association between macronutrient intake and risk of age-related chronic diseases.

Nutrient Contribution of Litterfall in a Short Rotation Plantation of Pure or Mixed Plots of Populus alba L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.

This study aims to quantify the potential contribution of nutrients derived from leaf litter in a short rotation coppice plantation which includes monocultures of the species Populus alba (PA) and Robina pseudoacacia (RP) as well as a mixture of 50PA:50RP, in the middle of the rotation. The P. alba monoculture was that which provided the most leaf litter (3.37 mg ha−1 yr−1), followed by the 50PA:50RP mixture (2.82 mg ha−1 yr−1) and finally the R. pseudoacacia monoculture (2.55 mg ha−1 yr−1). In addition to producing more litterfall, leaves were shed later in the P. alba monoculture later (December) than in the R. pseudoacacia monoculture (October) or the mix (throughout the fall). In terms of macronutrient supply per hectare, the contributions derived from leaf litter were higher for K, P and Mg in the case of P. alba and for N in R. pseudoacacia, the mix presenting the highest Ca content and intermediate concentrations for the rest of the nutrients. In addition, other factors such as C:N or N:MO ratios, as well as the specific characteristics of the soil, can have an important impact on the final contribution of these inputs. The carbon contribution derived from leaf fall was higher in the P. alba monoculture (1.5 mg ha−1 yr−1), intermediate in the mixed plot (1.3 mg ha−1 yr−1) and slightly lower for the R. pseudoacacia monoculture (1.3 mg ha−1 yr−1). Given these different strategies of monocultures with regard to the dynamism of the main nutrients, species mixing would appear to be suitable option to achieve a potential reduction in mineral fertilization in these plantations.