Non-nutrient Factors Research Articles

Non-traditional abiotic drivers explain variability of chlorophyll-a in a shallow estuarine embayment

Understanding the factors influencing eutrophication, as represented by concentrations of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), is needed to inform effective management and conservation strategies promoting ecological resilience. The objective of this study was to evaluate a unique combination of abiotic explanatory factors to describe Chl-a concentrations within the study estuary (North Biscayne Bay, Florida, USA). Multiple linear regression determined the strength and direction of influence of factors using data from 10 water quality monitoring stations. The analysis also considered time scales for evaluating cumulative effects of freshwater inflow and wind. Results show that dominant drivers of Chl-a were temperature, freshwater volume (whose cumulative effects were evaluated up to a 60-day time scale), and turbidity, which were statistically significant at 60, 60, and 70 % of the investigated stations, respectively. All drivers collectively accounted for 22 to 63 % of the variability of Chl-a measurements. Of the nine variables evaluated, nutrient concentrations (orthophosphate and ammonia) were not among the top three overall drivers. Despite nutrients historically being cited in the literature as the most significant factor, this study asserts that non-nutrient factors often govern Chl-a levels, necessitating a paradigm shift in management strategies to bolster estuarine resilience against climate change.

Nutrient and Non-Nutrient Factors Associated with the Arsenic Uptake and Buildup in Rice: a Review

Nutrient and Non-Nutrient Factors Associated with the Arsenic Uptake and Buildup in Rice: a Review

Evolution characteristics and driving factors of water quality and eutrophication of typical lakes in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River from 2016 to 2020

“十三五”时期，长江流域水环境质量改善明显，但湖泊水质和富营养化状况改善滞后. 长江中游作为我国淡水湖泊集中分布区域之一，部分湖泊存在水环境质量恶化和富营养化加重问题. 本文以长江中游区域国家开展监测的洪湖、斧头湖、梁子湖、大通湖、洞庭湖和鄱阳湖这6个典型湖泊为研究对象，科学评价其2016—2020年水质和富营养化时空变化特征及关键驱动因素，探讨其成因及治理对策. 结果表明，“十三五”时期长江中游湖泊水质和富营养化程度存在较大差异，与2016年相比，2020年大通湖水质改善最为明显，梁子湖水质变差，总磷是影响长江中游湖泊水质类别的主要因子; 洪湖富营养程度恶化最为严重，斧头湖次之，TLI(SD)对长江中游湖泊富营养化评价贡献最大. 目前长江中游湖泊呈有机污染加重和叶绿素a浓度升高现象，洪湖、斧头湖和梁子湖主要与氮、磷营养盐浓度升高有关，而大通湖、洞庭湖和鄱阳湖受水文过程、流域纳污量和湖泊管理等非营养盐因素影响较大. 总氮和总磷仍然是影响“十三五”时期长江中游湖泊水质和富营养化的最主要驱动力，且各湖泊总氮和总磷浓度变化均具有较强正相关性，建议开展河湖氮、磷标准衔接工作，提出河湖氮、磷标准限值或考核目标，以完善河湖水环境质量标准和生态健康影响评价技术规范. 同时，建议长江中游湖泊在开展截污控源、内源控制和生态修复的同时，进一步深化流域管理，特别是对洞庭湖、鄱阳湖、梁子湖和斧头湖等跨行政区湖泊，以提高湖泊治理与修复的系统性和整体性.;During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the water ecological environment quality of the Yangtze River Basin has improved significantly, but the improvement of lake water quality and eutrophication has lagged behind. As one of the concentrated distribution regions of freshwater lakes in China, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River have the problems of deterioration of water quality and aggravation of eutrophication. This article chosed six typical lakes monitored by national agencies, including Lake Honghu, Lake Futou, Lake Liangzi, Lake Datong, Lake Dongting and Lake Poyang, to scientifically evaluate their spatiotemporal changes, key drivers of water quality and eutrophication from 2016 to 2020, and to discuss the degradation causes and governance countermeasures. The results revealed significant spatiotemporal changes in water quality and eutrophication of those lakes. From 2016 to 2020, the water quality of Datong Lake improved mostly, while Lake Liangzi became worse. TP is the main factor affecting the lake water quality and TLI(SD) is most important in the lake eutrophication evaluation. The eutrophication in Lake Honghu is the most serious, followed by Lake Futou. The lakes in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River widely experienced increasing organic pollution and chlorophyll-a concentration. Such degradation in Lake Honghu, Lake Futou and Lake Liangzi is mainly related to the increase of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, while Lake Datong, Lake Dongting and Lake Poyang are greatly affected by non-nutrient factors such as hydrological processes, pollution holding capacity and Lake management. TN and TP are still the main drivers on the water quality and eutrophication of these lakes during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, and change synergistically in each lake. We propose to put forward the standard limits or assessment targets of nitrogen and phosphorus in rivers and lakes, to improve their environmental quality standards of rivers and lakes and the technical specifications for ecological health impact assessment. At the same time, it is recommended that the lakes in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River should carry out pollution control, endogenous control and ecological restoration. It is important to strengthen watershed management, especially the lakes across administrative regions such as Lake Dongting, Lake Poyang, Lake Liangzi, and Lake Futou to improve the system and integrity of lake governance and restoration.

523 Late-Breaking: Non-nutrient Factors in Colostrum: Systems Biology of Mammary Derived Bioactive Proteins and Gut Receptors That Network Functions in the Bovine Neonate

Abstract Maternal-offspring coevolution has introduced the biological concept of “neonatal programming,” in which soluble proteins of varying abundance in bovine colostrum can have targeted activities in the calf gut. Still, the identities and developmental programming mechanisms of the full profile of colostrum proteins on transiently expressed gut receptors/transporters, as well as the ultimate functional responses in the calf, remain to be completely elucidated. The objective of this study was to address this gap in knowledge using systems biology. First, we biopsied the mammary gland and examined the transcriptome in primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows (at parturition/day 0 contrasted to 40–50 days after parturition; n = 4–5/group; FDR< 0.05) and used a bioinformatics algorithm to delineate transcripts coding proteins destined to be secreted into colostrum. In parallel, we analyzed the neonatal small intestine (0 day-old contrasted to 7 day-old; n = 3–5/group; FDR< 0.05) to identify transcripts that code for membrane receptors/transporters precise to the period of colostrum consumption. Integrative analysis of these results highlighted 44 possible signaling circuits (cutoff: >10 nCPM) directed by colostrum in the neonatal gut, providing a consolidated predictive understanding of colostrum-mediated effects that might occur in the neonate during this crucial period in development. These findings also represent the first mechanistic insight into mammary-sourced components that target the neonatal gut to regulate aspects of postnatal development that encompass intestinal maturation, gut-based secondary signaling, and establishment of the gut microbiome, all relevant to long-term health and development. Towards applications, these results are poised to offer novel opportunities to enhance commercial supplements via biomimicry to better reflect the physiology supporting neonatal growth and development.

Assessment of the efficiency of river macrophytes to detect water-column nutrient levels and other environmental conditions in Irish rivers

Macrophytes are an essential biological element of freshwater aquatic ecosystems and are well known to reflect prevailing ecological conditions in rivers. Their use as bioindicators of nutrient status in river systems is widespread yet their reliability is hotly debated. The aim of this investigation was to assess whether macrophytes are reliable indicators of nutrient levels or better applied as indicators of other non-nutrient environmental conditions. The importance of two water-column nutrients; nitrates (N) and orthophosphates (P) were assessed in terms of their influence on macrophyte species richness and diversity in relation to other non-nutrient environmental factors using 395 river plots from Ireland. Then, in this context, the efficiency of macrophytes to detect nutrient levels was assessed by selecting two macrophyte-based water quality assessment tools; the Mean Trophic Rank (MTR) and the Predictions And Classification System for river macrophytes (LEAFPACS2). Finally, the ability of phytosociological communities within these rivers to reflect trophic levels was examined using the same two water quality assessment tools. It was shown that water-column nutrients N and P have a minor influence on macrophyte richness and no significant influence on macrophyte diversity and that MTR and LEAFPACS2 were only weakly correlated with N and P levels. It was concluded that macrophytes are sensitive to environmental changes but respond to a combination of ecological factors rather than N or P alone. Therefore, this study suggests that macrophytes are not the most efficient taxon group to apply when assessing trophic changes in isolation of other non-nutrient factors.

Multiple Micronutrients, Including Zinc, Selenium and Iron, Are Positively Associated with Anemia in New Zealand Aged Care Residents

Anemia is a significant comorbidity for older adults not fully attributable to iron deficiency. Low-grade inflammation and other micronutrient deficiencies also contribute. This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between nutrient and non-nutrient factors with hemoglobin and anemia in 285 residents (>65 years) of 16 New Zealand aged-care facilities. Blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, ferritin, sTfR, hepcidin, zinc, selenium, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), (with ferritin, sTfR, zinc and selenium adjusted for inflammation). Linear regression models examined the relationships between micronutrient biomarkers (iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin B-12 and D), age, sex, and health factors with hemoglobin. Thirty-two percent of participants exhibited anemia, although <2% had either depleted iron stores or iron deficiency. Plasma zinc and selenium deficiencies were present in 72% and 38% of participants, respectively. Plasma zinc and total body iron (TBI) were positively associated (p < 0.05) with hemoglobin, while gastric acid suppressing medications, hepcidin, and interleukin-6 were inversely associated. These relationships were maintained after the application of anemia cut-offs. These findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple micronutrient deficiencies as risk factors for anemia.

Nutrient Profiling Systems, Front of Pack Labeling, and Consumer Behavior.

Guiding consumers toward more healthful food choices may help address the high prevalence of poor dietary quality and diet-related diseases. The use of front-of-package labels (FOPL) on food items is expanding to provide focused nutritional information or representations, often based upon nutrient profiling systems. FOPL provide a source of nutrition and health information that is readily understood by consumers, including those with limited literacy. There is evidence that FOPL can shift consumer behavior toward more nutritious and healthful choices. However, assessments of the effectiveness of FOPL have been restricted in scope and rely largely on simulation models rather than real-world environments. FOPL are a direct source of nutritional guidance at the point-of-purchase and provide an opportunity to convey critical information on ingredients that are associated with health promotion and/or increased risk of non-communicable diseases. However, limited evidence regarding the most effective forms of FOPL to achieve behavior change and challenges from the food industry impedes the establishment of standardized nutrient profiles and algorithms. Future opportunities for FOPL include the potential for integrating nutritional profiles with non-nutrient factors affecting health such as food processing and environmental sustainability.

Blood albumin as a prognostic factor among unselected medically treated inpatients.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of blood albumin (BA) in an unselected population of inpatients. Materials & methods: We performed prospective analysis of the medical documentation of 7279 patients hospitalized between July 2014 and September 2017. Results: Individuals with BA ≥3.35 mg/dl had significantly lower risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.19-0.27; p < 0.001) and 14-day readmission (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.55-0.77; p < 0.0001). BA concentration was the strongest favorable factor predicting inpatient survival in a Cox hazard regression model (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.36-0.50; p < 0.001), did not correlate with body mass index and actual-to-ideal bodyweight ratio and was strongly affected by numerous non-nutrient factors. Conclusion: BA concentration showed similar or better predictive and diagnostic power in relation to all-cause in-hospital mortality and 14-day readmission among inpatients than selected multifactorial scores.

Diluted serum from calorie‐restricted animals promotes mitochondrial β‐cell adaptations and protect against glucolipotoxicity

β-cells quickly adjust insulin secretion to oscillations in nutrients carried by the blood, acting as fuel sensors. However, most studies of β-cell responses to nutrients do not discriminate between fuel levels and signaling components present in the circulation. Here we studied the effect of serum from calorie-restricted rats versus serum from rats fed ad libitum, diluted tenfold in the medium, which did not contribute significantly to the pool of nutrients, on β-cell mitochondrial function and dynamics under regular and high-nutrient culture conditions. Insulin secreting beta-cell derived line (INS1) cells incubated with serum from calorie-restricted rats (CR serum) showed higher levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) and active nitric oxide synthase. The expression of mitofusin-2 (Mfn-2) and optic atrophy 1 (OPA-1), proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion, was increased, while the levels of the mitochondrial fission mediator dynamin related protein 1 (DRP-1) were reduced. Consistent with changes in mitochondrial dynamics protein levels, CR serum treatment increased mitochondrial fusion rates, as well as their length and connectivity. These changes in mitochondrial morphology were associated with prolonged glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and mitochondrial respiration. When combining CR serum and high levels of glucose and palmitate (20 and 0.4 mm, respectively), an in vitro model of type II diabetes, we observed that signaling promoted by CR serum was enough to overcome glucolipotoxicity, as indicated by CR-mediated prevention of mitochondrial fusion arrest and reduced respiratory function in INS1 cells under glucolipotoxicity. Overall, our results provide evidence that non-nutrient factors in serum have a major impact on β-cell mitochondrial adaptations to changes in metabolism.

Influence of non-nutrient environmental factors on Ulva pertusa's inhibitory effects on Heterosigma akashiwo growth

We studied the effects of four non-nutrient environmental factors (temperature, salinity, irradiance and pH) on the growth inhibition of the macroalgae Ulva pertusa (Chlorophyta) upon the microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo (Rhaphidophyta). Experiments were conducted in single-factor incubation and various two-factor combination experiments in which temperature (10, 15, 25 and 30°C), salinity (10, 20, 30 and 40 g kg−1 water), irradiance (20, 100, 200 and 400 μmol m−2 s−1), and pH (5.5, 7, 8.5 and 10) were varied systematically. The growth rates of U. pertusa and H. akashiwo and the rate of microalgal growth inhibition were altered significantly by changing some of the non-nutrient factors in both the single-factor and the two-factor experiments. The optimal growth conditions for U. pertusa were 20–25°C, salinity of 30 g kg−1, irradiance level of 200–400 μmol m−2 s−1, and pH 8.5–10; optimal conditions for H. akashiwo growth were 25°C, 30 g kg−1, 100 μmol m−2 s−1 and pH 8.5, respectively. The growth inhibitory influence of U. pertusa on H. akashiwo was strongest at 25°C with low salinity (10 g kg−1), high irradiance (400 μmol m−2 s−1) and high alkalinity (pH = 10). The results of this study may be helpful in the development of methods for using green macroalgae to control the proliferation of microalgae in harmful algal blooms (HABs). In particular, these findings provide guidance regarding optimum levels of non-nutrient environmental factors in confined areas, such as aquaculture factories.

Assessment of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) for selected traditional millet-based Indian recipes

Millets have been recommended for several non-communicable diseases due to the presence of several nutritional as well as non-nutrient factors such as micronutrients and phytochemicals. However, their role in the medical nutrition therapy for diabetics is unclear due to the paucity of the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) data of the traditional millet-based recipes of India. The present study was planned to assess the GI and GL of selected Maharashtrian millet-based recipes of India. Traditional western Indian millet-based recipes (bajra cheela, bajra bhakri, jowar bhakri, bajra khichadi, millet thalipeeth) were standardized, organoleptically evaluated and tested for their GI and compared to the GI and GL of wheat-based roti in healthy female volunteers (n = 6, age 18–21 years, BMI = 23.0–24.9). Among the six recipes tested, GI ranged from 44.94 to 73.48 indicating that millet-based foods had medium to high GI with a GL range of 18.06 to 31.29. Classification and use of traditional Indian cooked foods based on their GI and GL for the medical nutrition therapy of diabetes mellitus is necessary.

Using quantile regression to analyze the stressor–response relationships between nutrient levels and algal biomass in three shallow lakes of the Lake Taihu Basin, China

Understanding the stressor–response relationship between nutrient levels and algal biomass is a prerequisite for the management of eutrophication in lakes. In this study, a quantile regression (QR) approach was used to interpret the stressor–response relationships between nutrient (e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen) concentrations and algal biomass as measured by chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) levels. QR results indicated that Lake Dianshan and Lake Changdang, which are both heavily eutrophicated, were P-limited only. In contrast, Lake Kuilei, which has significantly lower nutrient levels and algal biomass than the other two lakes, was P- and N-limited. Moreover, in Lake Kuilei, N and P levels had significant interaction effects on the algal biomass at the upper quantiles (τ > 0.68). The degree to which the lakes were P-limited increased with rises in the mean total P concentration in the lakes. QR has many advantages over ordinary least squares regression for discriminating limiting factors and, in particular, allows us to estimate changes near the upper extremes of distributions associated with limiting factors. QR is adapted to more specialized risk management problems, such as early warnings of the risk of algal blooms. The probable value-at-risk of harmful algal blooms for Lake Kuilei, Lake Dianshan and Lake Changdang is τ = 0.76 (Chl-a = 9 mg/m3), τ = 0.87 (Chl-a = 24 mg/m3) and τ = 0.72 (Chl-a = 35 mg/m3), respectively. Given the results of the stressor–response relationship analysis, we conclude that reductions in P input represent the most feasible and least costly approach for managing eutrophication in the shallow lakes of the Lake Taihu Basin. To control the magnitude and duration of algal blooms in shallow lakes, reductions in P and N inputs are required. The 95 % CI bounds of slopes indicated that the interactions of non-nutrient factors with nutrients had strong impacts on the algal biomass in lightly eutrophicated Lake Kuilei. It is suggested that, in addition to reductions in nutrient loads, several ecological measures, such as an increase in the biomass of submerged macrophytes and the reduction of hydraulic retention time by flushing, could represent important components of an integrated approach to eutrophication management in the Lake Taihu Basin.

Exosomes in the gut.

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of cross-talk between our immune systems and our gut microbiota, the complex community of over 100 trillion commensal microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protozoans) that resides in the human gastrointestinal tract and which numbers about 10 times the total cells in the human body (1). The gut microbiota contribute profoundly to the function and structure of the gastrointestinal mucosa, establishing a robust network that provides us with increased digestive capacity for essential nutrients and non-nutrient factors, such as vitamins. It also protects us from infection by pathogenic microbes (2). Dysbiosis, or unbalanced shifts in the composition of the microbiota, may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants, and are also increasingly linked to rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and asthma, as well as obesity (2). The gastrointestinal tract, which is the largest mucosal surface in the body (with a surface area of about 300 m3 in adults), is lined by a single layer of polarized columnar epithelial cells firmly bound to one another by tight junctions and covered by a stratified mucus layer, that together provide a barrier containing the microbiota within the lumen. Cross-talk between the microbiota and immune cells of the mucosa [dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages], communicated through this barrier, has regulated the evolution and development of our immune systems (3–6) and differentiated our ability to recognize and distinguish between beneficial and pathogenic microbes. Microbe recognition is achieved through epithelial cell and immune cell expression of germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that bind discrete microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPS) expressed by both commensal and pathogenic microbes (7–9). PRR expression is tightly regulated on the apical and basolateral surfaces of the epithelial cells, such that binding of PRRs can activate a series of host defense reactions, including the directed release of soluble mediators, depending upon the nature of the antigen and the polarized epithelial surface communicating with the bacteria. Intestinal DCs orchestrate and direct mucosal adaptive immune responses, balancing immune tolerance to harmless antigens and effector responses against enteric pathogens (10). To facilitate these functions, populations of intestinal macrophages, and DCs, strategically located in the sub-epithelial lamina propria (11), sample luminal antigens provided by specialized epithelial cells (goblet cells) (12) or by inserting dendrites between epithelial cells into the lumen (13–15), and phagocytose pathogenic microbes that encroach into the mucosa (11). DCs expressing the mucosal marker CD103, migrate to the MLNs, where they present acquired mucosal antigenic molecules to responsive naive T cells (16, 17), inducing the expansion of tolerogenic or effector memory T cell populations expressing the gut homing markers α4β7 and CCR9 (18, 19), that support the T cell recruitment to the lamina propria.

Zooplankton Community Metrics as Indicators of Eutrophication in Urban Lakes

Although the direct effects of eutrophication are well known, its indirect effects are poorly understood and the interaction with non-nutrient factors may alter some expected relationships. We analyzed the reliability of community-level metrics derived from three zooplankton groups as predictors of eutrophication in urban man-made lakes. Univariate and multivariate correlation analyses were used to test for relationships between environmental variables and community metrics derived from zooplankton data. Our results indicated that rotifer community metrics were the best eutrophication indicators. The main implication of our results is that arguments against the use of simple community-level metrics as indicators of eutrophication cannot be generalized. Our findings also suggest the need of complete sample analyses (i.e., identification and counting) to estimate reliable ecological indicators of eutrophication.

Nitrogen and phosphorus relationships to benthic algal biomass in temperate streams

Knowledge of factors limiting benthic algal (periphyton) biomass is central to understanding energy flow in stream ecosystems and stream eutrophication. We used several data sets to determine how water column nutrients and nonnutrient factors are linked to periphytic biomass and if the ecoregion concept is applicable to nutrient–periphyton relationships. Literature values for seasonal means of biomass of periphyton, nutrient concentrations, and other stream characteristics were collected for almost 300 sampling periods from temperate streams. Data for benthic chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations from a subset of 620 stations in the United States National Stream Water-Quality Monitoring Networks were also analyzed. The greatest portion of variance in models for the mean and maximum biomass of benthic stream algae (about 40%) was explained by concentrations of total N and P. Breakpoint regression and a two-dimensional Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistical technique established significant breakpoints of about 30 µg total P·L–1 and 40 µg total N·L–1, above which mean chlorophyll values were substantially higher. Ecoregion effects on nutrient–chlorophyll relationships were weak. Ecoregion effects were cross-correlated with anthropogenic effects such as percent urban and cropland area in the watershed and population density. Thus, caution is necessary to separate anthropogenic effects from natural variation at the ecoregion level.

Nutrient-chlorophyll trajectories across trophic gradients

We estimate the response of chl-a (mg · m−3) to changes in concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) by calculating the slopeS = Δchl-a/ΔTP in chl-a =f(TP) graphs. Results show that in years where algae are P-limited oligotrophic lakes respond less (median slope 0.21) to changes in nutrient concentrations than eutrophic lakes, (median slope 0.31) and these again less than hypereutrophic lakes, (median slope 1.02). We find no saturation value for the slope within the TP range considered (6–480 mg · m−3). Chl-a in eutrophic lakes responds more frequently to non-nutrient factors than oligotrophic and hypereutrophic lakes. Results obtained by replacing TP with a new nutrient parameter, TP′ = 0.056 · TP · IN0.226, in which inorganic nitrogen, IN, is factored in, suggest that nitrogen has an influence on chl-a in oligotrophic lakes. Blue-green algae respond less to changes in TP than other algal species, e.g., diatoms.