Nutrient Supply Research Articles

Energy Requirements in the Post-ICU Period: An Exploratory Multicenter Observational Study

Background: There is limited knowledge about nutritional intake and energy needs during the post-intensive care unit (ICU) period and their relationship with clinical outcomes and physical recovery. Aims and Methods: Thus, this observational multicenter study (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Santa Maria”, Terni and “Madonna del Soccorso” General hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) aimed, firstly, to measure energy expenditure via indirect calorimetry (IC) (Q-NRG+® Metabolic Monitor, Cosmed, Rome, Italy), derived respiratory quotient (R/Q1) and, malnutrition risk via Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test and body composition through bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA-Akern, Pontassieve, Italy); secondly, to assess their effect on energy needs, body composition and physical rehabilitation steps in critically ill adults after ICU discharge. The provision of nutrients (PIS test) was also recorded. Oral nutritional supplementation was used to reach the optimal nutritional intake. All patients followed a standardized rehabilitation program. Results: A total of 43 patients were enrolled from January 2024 until February 2025 at the beginning of their post-ICU period. The mean age was 65.7 ± 1.0 years, the mean BMI was 20.73 ± 0.8 kg/m2 at the recovery ward, and 60.4% (n = 26) were male. The mean admission period was 19.5 ± 1.7 days. The resting energy expenditure (mREE) was 1591 ± 71.2 at the admission and 1.856 ± 62.7 kcal/kg/d at the discharge (p < 0.05). The median phase angle value was 4.33 ± 0.15 at the admission and 5.05 ± 0.17° at the discharge (p < 0.05); R/Q1 at the admission was 0.7 ± 0.1 and 1.086± 0.11 at the discharge (p < 0.05). Improved energy expenditure significantly correlated with R/Q1 and phase angle (r = 0.81 and r = 0.72, respectively). Interestingly, there was no significant correlation between improved metabolism and improved PIS test scores (r = 0.18). Improved metabolism and nutritional status showed a tendency to correlate with shorter post-ICU courses and earlier physical recovery, without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: Measurement of energy expenditure and caloric intake, along with the assessment of body composition is feasible and provides an objective tool to guide and possibly enhance the functional recovery in patients during the post-ICU period.

Soil Drenching and Foliar Application of Nano Fertilizers Improved Quality Traits and Vase Life of Asparagus densiflorus cv. ‘Sprengeri’

The current study was carried out during September, 2022 to March, 2023 at Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India. The study examined the impact on enhancing quality and marketability, responding to the urgent demand for sustainable fertilization methods. Asparagus densiflorus cv. Sprengeri was a valued ornamental foliage plant, extensively utilised in flower arrangements for its vibrant green leaves and outstanding vase longevity. Nano fertilizers are used as an alternative to conventional fertilizer for its gradual and controlled supply of nutrients in the soil. They could release their active ingredients more precisely in response to environmental cues and biological demands, enhancing soil health by increasing carbon uptake, soil aggregation, water holding capacity, and crop nutrient usage efficiency. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications, incorporating 12 treatments that included nano NPK 4:4:4 soil drenches (1500 ppm, 3000 ppm and 4500 ppm) and Nano urea foliar sprays (0.05% and 0.1%), with a control (water spray). The application of nano NPK 4:4:4 soil drenches at 4500 ppm+nano urea foliar spray at 0.1% markedly enhanced visual scoring, freshness index, chlorophyll content, and vase life, followed by Nano NPK 4:4:4 soil drenches @ 4500 ppm + nano urea foliar spray @ 0.05 %. The lowest values were recorded with control, indicating the enhanced nutrient efficiency and physiological advantages of nano fertilizers. These results highlighted the capacity of nano fertilizers to improve crop quality, mitigate impacts on the environment, and promote economic feasibility.

Nitrogen supplying capability of wool pellets as an alternative fertilizer depending on soil biological activity.

Pellets made from waste wool, typically sourced from sheep shearing residues generated by the textile or wool industry, have recently emerged as a promising alternative for plant nutrition. However, limited information is available on the impact of wool pellets (WP), applied at a dosage of 4g per pot, on soil functioning, biological activity, plant physiology, and nutrient supply. A pot experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four replicates on sweet peppers (Capsicum annuumL.). The effect of WP on permanganate-oxidizable carbon, fluorescein diacetate, and β-glucosidase enzyme activities were investigated in two soils differing in their soil organic matter (SOM) contents (low and high) and compared to the control and a reference N fertilizer solution. The nitrate and total nitrogen content of plants, the photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange intensity, shoot and root biomass, pepper fruit, and photosynthetic rate per total N-uptakewere also examined. WP treatments (4g per pot) increased soil biological activity in both soil types (with 0.58% and 1.84% soil organic matter, respectively) and significantly improved plant physiological parameters and N-use efficiency compared to the control and reference N fertilizer addition. Although the total N content in wool pellets was higher than in the mineral reference N-solution, this reference treatment served as a baseline dose allowing comparison with the N-supply intensity of the WP. WP significantly increased shoot biomass in both soil types, with a more pronounced effect in the low SOM soil due to faster mineralization and higher air capacity. In contrast, higher fruit was achieved in the high SOM soil. WP treatment increased N-uptake to 2.18 and 2.34mg/week in low and high SOM, respectively. The research findings highlight wool pellets as a powerful alternative to inorganic fertilizers, offering a sustainable nutrient supply. Moreover, utilizing wool a by-product often considered waste as an organic fertilizer contributes to solving both economic and environmental challenges associated with wool disposal.

Sinusoidal Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Stimulation (ELF-EMS) Promotes Angiogenesis In Vitro

Background/Objectives: Angiogenesis is the multistep process of the formation of new blood vessels. It is beneficial in scenarios that require tissue repair and regeneration, such as wound healing, bone fracture repair, and recovery from ischemic injuries like stroke, where new blood vessel formation restores oxygen and nutrient supply to damaged areas. Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic stimulation (ELF-EMS), which involves electromagnetic fields in the frequency range of 0–300 Hz, have been shown to reduce ischemic stroke volume by improving cerebral blood flow and recovery effects that are dependent on eNOS. Based on previous results, we herein explore the effects of ELF-EMS treatment (13.5 mT/10 and 60 Hz) on the activation of angiogenic processes in vitro in homeostatic conditions. Methods: Using human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), we studied cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in vitro, as well as nitric oxide production and the effect of calcium and nitric oxide (NO) on these processes. Moreover, blood vessel formation was studied using a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Results: Our results showed that ELF-EMS increases proliferation, tube formation, and both the migration and transmigration of these cells, the latter of which was mediated via NO. In turn, calcium inhibition decreased ELF-EMF-induced NO production. Furthermore, ELF-EMS significantly increased blood vessel formation in the CAM assay. Conclusions: Our results indicated that ELF-EMS exposure (13.5 mT/10 and 60 Hz) significantly induces angiogenesis in vitro and in ovo, underscoring its potential application in the treatment of conditions characterized by insufficient blood supply.

Patterns of Intra-Order Variation in Shoot Traits Are Order-Specific Along the Branch Basal Height Gradient of Larix principis-rupprechtii

Intra-order trait variation is a key driver of aboveground shoot performance at different branch basal heights. Although the basic light exposure and nutrient supply to shoots vary with branch basal height, most studies have focused on inter-order variation in shoot traits. However, how and to what extent shoot traits change with branch basal height, as well as whether a general intra-order pattern exists among different shoot orders, remain largely unclear. We compared intra-order variation in shoot diameter, length, specific stem length (SSL), and stem tissue density (STD) across four branching orders of Larix principis-rupprechtii along a vertical height gradient of 5.5–6.0 m. We tested (a) the degree of intra-order versus intra-order variation in shoot traits along the gradient and (b) whether intra-order trait patterns and their relationship with branch basal height were consistent across the four branching orders. Specifically, we hypothesized that within a branching order, shoot traits would undergo adjustments: shoots at higher positions would focus on growth (by increasing diameter and length), whereas shoots at lower positions would enhance resource acquisition (by increasing SSL) and protection (by increasing STD). Branching order explained most of the overall variation in shoot traits, including shoot diameter and length, but accounted for only a small portion of the variation in SSL and STD. Branch basal height explained only a small fraction of intra-order shoot trait variation, which was larger within than between basal heights. Moreover, the relationships between traits and branch basal height rarely aligned with our hypotheses and varied considerably across different shoot orders. Along the complex branch basal height gradient, where multiple traits change simultaneously, shoots of different shoot orders exhibit distinct patterns of variation, leading to specific intra-order trait variation. The lack of support for our hypothesis may result from the multifaceted interactions between light availability, spatial constraints, nutrient heterogeneity, and dynamic branch-order interactions. Our findings suggest that to better understand the impact of environmental variation on shoot performance, future research should integrate a more comprehensive analysis of shoot responses to change and measure a broader range of shoot traits and environmental variables.

Sustainable utilization of solid waste byproducts in agricultural amendments as soil conditioner: A state-of-the-art review

Abstract Recent advances have enabled solid waste byproducts to effective soil amendment in order to minimize the use of inorganic fertilizers and increase crop yields to provide food for a high-population world. This review aims to summarize the essential nutrients required for crop production, the ability of nutrient supply of solid waste byproducts as soil conditioners, and its impacts on plant growth and soil properties. This paper analyzes the sources of plant nutrients, functions, symptoms of deficiency, and corrective measures. This review analyzed the byproducts of municipal solid waste compost, waste biomass, biochar, farmyard manure, press-mud molasses, vinasses, olive mill waste, spent mushroom compost and fly ash (FA), cow dung vermicomposting with FA, FA mixed with biochar, sewage sludge-FA mixture, fiber sludge, sewage sludge, bauxite residue, poultry waste to determine their ability to supply nutrients, affecting plant growth and soil properties significantly. This review also discusses the challenges associated with solid waste byproducts used in agricultural soil amendment on the environment and human health and possible future strategies to be adopted. Overall, this review provides insights to farmers about the use of solid waste byproducts as soil conditioners for the enrichment of essential nutrients and soil properties in farming soil.

The Impact of Different Almond Orchard Management Practices in Hyper-Arid Ecosystems on Soil Microbial Communities

The use of service (cover) crops is widely practiced in soil agriculture due to their many benefits, including enhanced nutrient supply and improved soil health. Bacteria, as major decomposers of plant residues in the soil, play essential roles in nutrient cycling. This study examined the impact of various almond orchard management practices on the soil microbial community composition in a hyper-arid ecosystem. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare the microbial communities in two adjacent almond orchards managed with either organic (ORG) or regenerative agriculture (RA) practices, alongside an uncultivated (UC) site. Notably, little is known about the responses of soil bacterial communities in hyper-arid regions to intercrop mulch from service crops. This study may offer insights into the ecological limits of the benefits of service crops in promoting soil health under extreme conditions. Our findings demonstrate that RA management can alter soil organic carbon levels and reshape microbial communities by increasing overall bacterial abundance and enriching specific keystone taxa. These changes may have significant implications for nutrient cycling processes in hyper-arid agroecosystems.

Differences in soil nutrient and microbial characteristics between invasive Ageratina adenophora and native plant communities.

Much emphasis has been placed on the negative consequences of alien species on resident ecosystems. Nevertheless, quantitative studies on the effects of invasive and native plant communities on soil nutrients and microbial features were rarely conducted. This study investigated soil microbes and soil nutrients associated with different degrees of Ageratina adenophora invasion and plant communities (Gramineae and Dicotyledons). The correlations between soil microbes and soil nutrients were analyzed. The findings indicated that the invasion of A. adenophora markedly elevated the levels of soil total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), available potassium (AK) and available phosphorus (AP), while decreasing the concentrations of soil total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) in comparison with those in non-invaded areas. The concentrations of NO3--N, NH4+-N, and AK in strongly invasive plant communities were significantly greater than those in the Gramineae and Dicotyledon groups. The soil microbial richness of the A. adenophora invasive plant community was higher than that of the native plant community. In contrast, the soil microbial evenness was lower than that of the native plant community, but the soil microbial dominance increased with the increasing degree of A. adenophora invasion. Meanwhile, the number of soil bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, potassium-solubilizing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the invasive plant community increased significantly with increasing degree of A. adenophora invasion. The soil microbial richness of the invasive plant community dominated by A. adenophora was higher than that of the native plant community. In contrast, soil microbial evenness was reduced in the invasive community compared to the native plant community, while microbial dominance increased with the extent of A. adenophora invasion. The number of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, potassium-solubilizing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria in the soil of the invasive plant community increased significantly. Furthermore, the variation trend of the Simpson diversity index (D) was that of the Shannon diversity index (H) of the soil microbes in this study. The McIntosh diversity index (U) showed a consistent decrease with the increasing degree of A. adenophora invasion. Moreover, after the correlation coefficients between soil microbes and nutrients were analyzed, we found that there was a significant positive correlation between soil nutrients and microbial richness in both the A. adenophora invasive community and the native plant community. Compared with plant communities, A. adenophora invasion can greatly alter the soil nutrient and microbial characteristics and the trade-offs of soil nutrients supply and demand, which may facilitate growth. The soil microbial diversity in different communities may be important factors that led to changes of soil nutrients. A. adenophora altered the trade-offs of soil nutrients supply and demand by changing the composition and diversity of soil microbes, which may be a critical ecological mechanism of the successful invasion of the exotic weed A. adenophora successful invasion.

From Solid Waste to Technosols: Evaluation of Aggregate Stability, Microbial Community and Biotoxicity

To meet the requirements for the efficient utilization of bulk solid wastes, technosols were cultivated using solid wastes as raw materials and their aggregate stability, bacterial community, mineralization process, and biological toxicity were investigated. A proportional mixture of four types of solid wastes (fly ash, sludge, straw, and earthworm manure) resulted in the formation of aggregates with excellent pore structure after two months of cultivation and four samples were obtained. Their soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (TN) contents were higher than those in Chinese surface soil. A total of 215 genera were common to all four samples. The high organic matter content in straw, along with its lignin content and the fine organic particles generated during the straw degradation process were conducive to the formation of highly stable aggregates, making the quality with added straw superior to that with added vermicompost. Furthermore, the addition of straw was more beneficial for increasing potential mineralized organic carbon. Amongst the four tested samples, sample 3# exhibited the best soil nutrient supply capacity along with strong mineralization but weak carbon sequestration. A seed germination test confirmed that four samples were all biologically safe. This study marked a shift from “pollution control” towards “resource utilization” in dealing with bulk solid wastes. Additionally, applying technosols for soil remediation could present an effective solution to ecological restoration challenges in soil degradation such as mining sites.

THE APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING IN OPTIMIZING PROCESSES IN ALGAL TECHNOLOGY: FUTURE CHARACTERISTICS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Many machine learning algorithms have been widely used in the detection and classification of microalgae, such as support vector machine, random forest, and neural network. Deep learning technology represented by convolutional neural network is most widely utilized due to its perfect recognition effect on small targets. The efficiency of sampling method can be achieved with the use of advanced Machine Learning framework in microalgae analysis. This helps to reduce the optimal number of experiments required to achieve pick conditions. Deep learning scheme has also been proposed for identifying microalgae species and growth cycles. Natural experiments with this model achieved 97% accuracy. It provides a good technical backing for monitoring the growth process of microalgae and analyzing their directional movements. Algae have huge potential for humans with limitless applications in almost every sector from power generation to food. Algae have a profitable global market with its versatile product range targeting various market segments with enormous demand for high value commodities such as cosmetics, energy, healthcare and food additive sectors. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning helps to circumvent the labourous processes of staining, labeling and destruction of microalgae growth environment. Algae have great potential to solve the problem of the present energy crisis in the world. They serve as promising raw materials for cosmetics, pharmaceutics and the food industries. Despite these numerous benefits, many challenges persist for large-scale production of microalgae. These involve contamination and evaporation as is the case with open pond culture, slow algal growth rate as well as low biomass yield and huge cost of operation with respect to nutrients supply. Also, harvesting, dewatering, extraction and downstream processing cost are other areas of serious concerns. Algal strain development is undergoing transformation with advances in biotechnology especially in areas of genetic and molecular engineering. Rapid doubling time, high lipid content, water purification, high tolerance to toxic wastewater systems and so on, are notablecharacters for future research.

Evaluating strip tillage and precision planters in irrigated and rainfed canola production systems in southern Alberta

Conservation tillage practices, including no-tillage (NT) and reduced tillage are widely adopted in the Canadian prairies. However, managing crop residues in NT canola (Brassica napus L.) systems can be challenging. This study evaluated strip tillage (ST) and precision planting (PP) in handling crop residues and improving canola emergence, growth, and yield. ST was compared to NT and conventional tillage (CT), while PP was compared to disc hoe (DH), narrow knife (NK), and spreader (SP) openers for their effect on crop emergence and seed yield under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. The results indicated that PP was effective in improving uniformity with increased stand establishment (13-17%). This was particularly evident in the irrigated CT systems, where 83% of sites showed a higher plant density. However, the DH opener outperformed the PP in improving seed yield (15%) due to its narrower row spacing, regardless of soil moisture regimes. Tillage practices did not influence canola growth parameters or yield in most cases; however, when ST is combined with the DH opener, a high and stable seed yield is guaranteed. Additionally, the NT practice was particularly beneficial under rainfed conditions, improving water conservation and helping mitigate yield losses in water-limited environments. The adoption of ST provides improved moisture retention, lower energy consumption, and a reduced carbon footprint compared to CT, making it a viable option for farmers seeking to balance yield stability and environmental impact. When adopting PP, sufficient nutrient supply is necessary to compensate for the inter-plant competition and maintain yield potential.

Genome-Wide Adaptation to a Complex Environmental Gradient in a Keystone Phytoplankton Species.

Marine phytoplankton play essential roles in global primary production and biogeochemical cycles. Yet, the evolutionary genetic underpinnings of phytoplankton adaptation to complex marine and coastal environments, where many environmental variables fluctuate and interact, remain unclear. We combined population genomics with experimental transcriptomics to investigate the genomic basis underlying a natural evolutionary experiment that has played out over the past 8000 years in one of the world's largest brackish water bodies: the colonisation of the Baltic Sea by the ancestrally marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi. To this end, we combined target capture of the entire nuclear genome with pooled shotgun sequencing, and showed that the method performs well on both cultures and single cells. Genotype-environment association analyses identified > 1000 genes with signals of selection in response to major environmental gradients in the Baltic Sea, which apart from salinity, include marked differences in temperature and nutrient supply. Locally adapted genes were related to diverse metabolic processes, including signal transduction, cell cycle, DNA methylation and maintenance of homeostasis. The locally adapted genes showed significant overlap with salinity-responsive genes identified in a laboratory common garden experiment, suggesting the Baltic salinity gradient contributes to local adaptation of S. marinoi. Taken together, our data show that local adaptation of phytoplankton to complex coastal environments, which are characterised by a multitude of environmental gradients, is driven by widespread changes in diverse metabolic pathways and functions.

Diurnal Variations in Digestion and Flow Drive Microbial Dynamics in the Gut

The human large intestine harbors a highly dynamic microbial ecosystem in which growing microbes regularly replenish biomass lost via feces. Elucidating these population dynamics is important as studies increasingly indicate a direct link between microbial density imbalances in the large intestine and host immune responses, colonic cell physiology, as well as disease development. However, given the strong changes in microbial growth, biomass, and intestinal fluid flow throughout the day, gaining a better understanding of these population dynamics remains a major challenge. Leveraging experimental data on fluid turnover, nutrient supply, and microbial growth, we here derive a biophysical model of microbial population dynamics in the proximal large intestine. We show how the digestion of meals in batches triggers strong fluctuations in fluid movement and bacteria growth. Comparing different model scenarios, we further analyze how the expandable nature of the proximal large intestine, the presence of a pouch-like cecum off major flow paths, and the periodic exit of luminal content via “mass movements” are required in combination to maintain the high microbial population observed in the proximal large intestine. As the microbial population undergoes several bottlenecks followed by rapid growth each day, the effective population size in the proximal large intestine is small, Ne∼107−1011, promoting the rapid evolution of microbes. The diurnal fluctuations in flow also hamper the accumulation of slower-growing bacteria and lead to substantial variations in the uptake of fermentation products by the host. Our findings underscore the complex interplay between population dynamics of the gut microbiota, fluid flow, and bacterial growth with important consequences for the microbiome and the host. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

The influence of primary soil tillage methods and foliar nutrient provision on the growth, yield, and associated traits of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Sustainable agricultural practices are vital for ensuring global food security. Factors such as soil, weather, and agronomic practices, including nutrient supply and tillage systems, play key roles in sustainable crop production. A field experiment at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Godollo, Hungary, assessed the impact of primary soil tillage methods and foliar nutrient supplementation on winter barley yield and traits. Using a split-plot design with three replications, the study examined four nutrient treatment (control, Bio-cereal, bio-algae, and MgSMnZn Blend) and two tillage methods (plowing and cultivator). The obtained results indicated no significant influence of tillage treatments on SPAD value, leaf area index (LAI), plant height, or spike length. However, nutrient treatments significantly (P&lt;0.01) affected LAI, plant height, and thousand kernel weights. Both nutrient and tillage treatments significantly (P&lt;0.01 and P&lt;0.05) influenced tiller number and grain yield, with significant (P&lt;0.01) interaction effects observed for grain yield and kernel weight. The combination of Bio-cereal nutrient treatment with plowing tillage produced the highest values across parameters. Thus, integrating bio-cereal nutrient supplementation with plowing tillage is better for optimizing winter barley yield.

Application of Appropriate Technology for Making Organic NPK Fertilizer by Utilizing Palm Oil Mill Waste in Bekiung Village

The Villa Ciomas RW 10 Farmer Group (PokTan Vici 10), actively engaged in urban farming in Ciomas Rahayu Village, Bogor, West Java, has been utilizing a small plot of land located next to the Cisindangbarang River. Their urban farming area already includes a small fishpond but lacks aquaponics equipment. The community service team aims to enhance the utility of the urban farming facilities by installing aquaponics equipment, providing workshops on basic hydroponics and aquaponics knowledge, exploring its business potential, and offering hands-on hydroponics and aquaponics cultivation practice. Throughout the program, the team also conducts monitoring and guidance to ensure successful implementation and address any challenges encountered during the training program. The hydroponic/aquaponics equipment installation was successful; however, nutrient supply from the fishponds only was initially suboptimal, prompting the addition of hydroponic nutrients. Hydroponic techniques were also introduced for vegetable cultivation. Based on a questionnaire analysis conducted before and after the training, the program positively impacted participants, significantly enhancing their knowledge and aquaponic skills (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the aquaponics equipment was successfully installed, and participants gained foundational knowledge and skills in aquaponics, enabling them to independently manage aquaponics systems through to harvest. Looking ahead, the community members plan to explore business opportunities in selling hydroponics/aquaponics products.

Bioengineering fascicle-like skeletal muscle bioactuators via pluronic-assisted co-axial 3D bioprinting (PACA-3D)

Advances in 3D bioprinting have opened new possibilities for developing bioengineered muscle models that can mimic the architecture and function of native tissues. However, current bioengineering approaches do not fully recreate the complex fascicle-like hierarchical organization of the skeletal muscle tissue, impacting on the muscle maturation due to the lack of oxygen and nutrient supply in the scaffold inner regions. A key challenge is the production of precise and width-controlled independent filaments that do not fuse during the printing process when subsequently extruded, ensuring the formation of fascicle-like structures. This study addresses the limitation of filament fusion by utilizing a pluronic-assisted co-axial 3D bioprinting system (PACA-3D) creates a physical confinement of the bioink during the extrusion process, effectively obtaining thin and independent printed filaments with controlled shapes. The use of PACA-3D enabled the fabrication of skeletal muscle-based bioactuators with improved cell differentiation and significantly increased force output, obtaining 3 times stronger bioengineered muscle when compared to bioactuators fabricated using conventional 3D extrusion bioprinting techniques, where a single syringe containing the bioink is used. The versatility of our technology has been demonstrated using different biomaterials, demonstrating its potential to develop more complex biohybrid tissue-based architectures with improved functionality, as well as aiming for better scalability and printing flexibility.

Nutrient Intake and Plasma and Erythrocyte Content Among Lactating Mothers of Hospitalized Very Preterm Infants: Associations with Human Milk Composition.

Lactating mothers have increased nutritional requirements, but nutritional adequacy is difficult to achieve. Additionally, human milk (HM) composition depends on maternal diet. However, the nutritional intake and status of mothers with hospitalized very preterm infants (MHVPIs) (<32 weeks of gestational age) have rarely been assessed. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine the intake of macronutrients, micronutrients, and lipids, as well as the nutritional status of MHVPIs. The results were compared with a group of HM donors (HMDs), and associations with HM composition were evaluated using multiple linear regression. For dietary assessment, a 5-day dietary record including supplement intake was completed by 15 MHVPIs and 110 HMDs. Vitamins and fatty acids (FA) were determined in plasma and erythrocytes; minerals and methylmalonic acid were determined in urine; and macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and the lipid profile were determined in HM. Considering dietary reference intakes, the dietary evaluation of MHVPIs revealed a high percentage of inadequate nutrient intake in relation to total energy, as well as for iodine and vitamins B8, B9, C, D, and E. A high protein intake was observed. The percentage of energy from carbohydrates was low, whereas the percentage of energy from fat was high. However, the diet of MHVPIs did not differ substantially from the diet of HMDs. Associations were observed between the study groups (MHVPI vs. HMD) and the HM concentration of protein, several micronutrients, and fatty acids independent from intake and status. Deficient nutrient intakes did not appear to be exclusively related to MHVPI but rather seemed to be widespread in both study groups. However, for preterm infants, an insufficient supply of nutrients is critical and should be addressed in order to improve preterm infant's outcomes. Furthermore, we provided additional insights into the exploration of HM by relating its composition to prematurity.

Non-Animal Technologies to Study and Target the Tumour Vasculature and Angiogenesis

Tumour-associated angiogenesis plays a key role at all stages of cancer development and progression by providing a nutrient supply, promoting the creation of protective niches for therapy-resistant cancer stem cells, and supporting the metastatic cascade. Therapeutic strategies aimed at vascular targeting, including vessel disruption and/or normalisation, have yielded promising but inconsistent results, pointing to the need to set up reliable models dissecting the steps of the angiogenic process, as well as the ways to interfere with them, to improve patients’ outcomes while limiting side effects. Murine models have successfully contributed to both translational and pre-clinical cancer research, but they are time-consuming, expensive, and cannot recapitulate the genetic heterogeneity of cancer inside its native microenvironment. Non-animal technologies (NATs) are rapidly emerging as invaluable human-centric tools to reproduce the complex and dynamic tumour ecosystem, particularly the tumour-associated vasculature. In the present review, we summarise the currently available NATs able to mimic the vascular structure and functions with progressively increasing complexity, starting from two-dimensional static cultures to the more sophisticated tri-dimensional dynamic ones, patient-derived cultures, the perfused engineered microvasculature, and in silico models. We emphasise the added value of a “one health” approach to cancer research, including studies on spontaneously occurring tumours in companion animals devoid of the ethical concerns associated with traditional animal studies. The limitations of the present tools regarding broader use in pre-clinical oncology, and their translational potential in terms of new target identification, drug development, and personalised therapy, are also discussed.

The Impact of Cognitive Aspects on the Use Organic Fertilizer in Jurit Baru Village

Fertilization aims to replace lost nutrients and increase the supply of nutrients needed by plants to increase plant production and quality. The availability of complete and balanced nutrients that can be absorbed by plants is a determining factor in plant growth and production. One fertilizer with a high nutrient content that is good for plants is organic fertilizer. The aim of this research is to determine farmers' responses based on cognitive aspects to the application of organic fertilizer. The research location was determined purposefully in Jurit Baru Village, East Lombok. The research sample was determined by simple random sampling of as many as 24 lowland rice farmers who were members of 12 farmer groups. The data analysis method uses a Likert scale with an answer score of 1 to 3 for all measurement indicators expressed as a percentage. The research results show that the application of organic fertilizer is based on the cognitive aspects of farmers; most of them know the purpose, benefits, and advantages of organic fertilizer. Meanwhile, the weaknesses are not well known by rice farmers. Overall, farmers have used organic fertilizer in rice farming. However, the dosage used is still a combination of conventional and organic.

Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Targeted therapy enhances tumor elimination while reducing adverse effects by integrating multiple tumoricidal mechanisms. Low molecular weight (LMW) ligands, offering faster pharmacokinetics and improved tumor permeability, present a viable alternative to antibodies. This study presents a novel nanomedicine for prostate cancer therapy, leveraging mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as the nanocarrier to encapsulate manganese dioxide (MnO2) and doxorubicin (DOX). The resultant nanoparticles are further coated with a polydopamine (PDA) layer and covalently conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOx), forming the MSN@Mn@PDA-GOx/DOX hybrid system (hereafter termed SMPG/DOX NPs). LMW ligands (small-molecule inhibitor DCL and nanobody VHH) targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) were conjugated to create DCL-SMPG/DOX and VHH-SMPG/DOX. Mn2+-mediated Fenton-like reactions converted H2O2 into toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) under acidic conditions, enabling chemodynamic therapy (CDT). GOx-generated H2O2 and gluconic acid disrupted nutrient supply, inducing tumor starvation therapy (ST). The increased H2O2 and acidity amplified the Fenton-like reaction, creating a "ROS storm" that synergistically enhanced chemotherapy. LMW targeting improved tumor specificity, efficacy, and reduced side effects. In vitro, DCL-SMPG/DOX showed superior tumor cell internalization and cytotoxicity compared to VHH-SMPG/DOX. In vitro, the cellular internalization rates of VHH-SMPG/DOX and DCL-SMPG/DOX were 34.1% and 44.5%, respectively, significantly higher than that of free DOX uptake (10.3%). Moreover, DCL-SMPG/DOX-induced stronger cytotoxicity compared to VHH-SMPG/DOX. In vivo studies further demonstrated the strong anti-tumor activity of the DCL-SMPG/DOX nanomedicine, underscoring its potential as a prostate cancer treatment. Further research is needed to elucidate its anti-tumor mechanisms.