Nutritional Supply Research Articles

Capillary Wicking on Heliamphora minor-Mimicking Mesoscopic Trichomes Array.

Liquid spontaneously spreads on rough lyophilic surfaces, and this is driven by capillarity and defined as capillary wicking. Extensive studies on microtextured surfaces have been applied to microfluidics and their corresponding manufacturing. However, the imbibition at mesoscale roughness has seldom been studied due to lacking fabrication techniques. Inspired by the South American pitcher plant Heliamphora minor, which wicks water on its pubescent inside wall for lubrication and drainage, we implemented 3D printing to fabricate a mimetic mesoscopic trichomes array and investigated the high-flux capillary wicking process. Unlike a uniformly thick climbing film on a microtextured surface, the interval filling of millimeter-long and submillimeter-pitched trichomes creates a film of non-uniform thickness. Different from the viscous dissipation that dominated the spreading on microtextured surfaces, we unveiled an inertia-dominated transition regime with mesoscopic wicking dynamics and constructed a scaling law such that the height grows to 2/3 the power of time for various conditions. Finally, we examined the mass transportation inside the non-uniformly thick film, mimicking a plant nutrition supply method, and realized an open system siphon in the film, with the flux saturation condition experimentally determined. This work explores capillary wicking in mesoscopic structures and has potential applications in the design of low-cost high-flux open fluidics.

Process Evaluation of Community-Based Nutrition Service for Under 2 Years Children in Degadamot District Using Qualitative Approach, Western Ethiopia, 2023.

Malnutrition accounts for 45% of under-5 child morbidities in Ethiopia and is a more common issue in rural communities. In that regard, Ethiopia has implemented a CBN program at the community level to improve the nutrition status of children. Despite this, malnutrition still causes a significant rate of child morbidity and mortality. The implementation status of the CBN program is unknown. Thus, this evaluation aimed to evaluate the children under 2 years in Degadamot district health posts in northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based single-case study design with qualitative-method evaluation was employed from March 28 to April 28, 2023. The evaluation focused on the availability and compliance with multiple data sources. The qualitative data were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis with OPEN CODE version 4.02 software. Finally, the overall program implementation was determined based on predetermined judgmental criteria. According to the predetermined judgment parameter, the overall CBN program implementation level was 62.68%, measured by the availability of resources (71.36%) and compliance of service providers (54.0%). The overall community-based nutrition program implementation in the Degadamot district health post with 2 evaluation dimensions was judged as fair based on the presetting criteria. It is better to improve the service through training HEW and HDA, distributing nutritional supplies, providing regular support, and following up with HEWs for GMP performance in the Degadamot district.

Adequacy and Distribution Equity of Nutrition Supplies across China.

Procuring food enriched with diverse nutrients is pivotal for maintaining a robust immune system. However, the food system is now unprecedentedly globalized and faces challenges arising from climate change, pandemics, and political unrest. This study aims to illuminate the gap in exploring the adequacy and distribution equity of nutrition supplies in response to potential trade fluctuations and restrictions on agrifood within China's local agriculture endowments. Also, it seeks to identify the role of trade in contributing to these indices. Accordingly, we analyzed the distribution of nutrients in agrifood categories from production to consumption and assessed the adequacy and distribution equity of corresponding available nutrition supply from the local food provision system in terms of meeting residents' nutritional requirements, across China, and compared with those in the practical market. The local self-supply system showed that 12 out of 31 provinces have difficulty achieving an iron supply with 11% to 108% deficiencies. Except for iron, 52% (folate)-90% (vitamin B12) of agricultural output was available for diet provisioning nationwide. While food trade emerges as a crucial factor in enhancing secure and equitable nutrition supply, risks associated with micronutrient deficiencies necessitate careful consideration in current global circumstances. Our analysis explored a regional pool of nutrient information in supplements to the conventional food profile in China and could implicate better knowledge toward healthier food supplies and tailored improvements for achieving a resilient nutrition supply.

Molecular and biochemical responses of sesame (Sesame indicum L.) to rhizobacteria inoculation under water deficit.

Water scarcity is a challenge for sesame cultivation under rainfed conditions. In this scenario, a potential strategy to alleviate the water deficit is the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria. The objective of this study was to analyze the interaction of rhizobacteria with sesame cultivation under water deficit conditions. An experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse using the BRS Morena sesame cultivar. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme: 2 (irrigation regimes - daily irrigation and water deficit by suspending irrigation until 90% stomatal closure) x 6 (treatments with nitrogen or inoculants), with 5 replications. The types of fertilization were characterized by the addition of nitrogen (ammonium sulfate; 21% N), inoculants based on Bacillus spp. (pant001, ESA 13, and ESA 402), Agrobacterium sp. (ESA 441), and without nitrogen (control). On the fifth day after the suspension of irrigation, plant material was collected for gene expression analysis (DREB1 and HDZ7), activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), relative proline content, and photosynthetic pigments. At the end of the crop cycle (about 85 days), production characteristics (root dry matter, aboveground dry matter, number of capsules, and thousand seed weight), as well as leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content, were evaluated. There was a positive effect on both production and biochemical characteristics (proline, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and photosynthetic pigments). Regarding gene expression, most of the inoculated treatments exhibited increased expression of the DREB1 and HDZ7 genes. These biological indicators demonstrate the potential of rhizobacteria for application in sesame cultivation, providing nutritional supply and reducing the effects of water deficit.

Educational intervention with nursing professionals reduces interruption of enteral nutritional support.

To evaluate the impact of educational intervention on the occurrence of factors that interfere with the caloric-protein supply to critical and non-critical patients undergoing enteral nutritional therapy. This is an intervention, a field experiment without a control group, carried out in a teaching hospital in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Three training cycles were carried out with nursing professionals over 57 weeks, covering the same content. The data collected were divided into pre-intervention and intervention periods. Interference in caloric-protein support was analyzed based on the evaluation of days with non-conforming nutritional supply and the occurrence of factors that led to non-conformities. Following interventions, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of non-conforming and inadequate days (nutritional supply < 80%), the frequency of occurrence of interfering factors and non-conformities caused by failure to follow the vomiting protocol. The educational intervention was an effective strategy to increase the quality of the therapy evaluated, especially from the fifth day of enteral nutritional therapy onwards.

МНОГОЛЕТНИЕ БОБОВЫЕ ТРАВЫ ПРИ ОРОШЕНИИ – ГАРАНТ УСТОЙЧИВОГО КОРМОПРОИЗВОДСТВА В НИЖНЕМ ПОВОЛЖЬЕ

Purpose: to develop rational combinations of species and varieties of perennial leguminous grasses, soil water and nutrient regimes, which will contribute to obtaining stable fodder yields with high levels of protein and energy content. Materials and methods. Research is being carried out on perennial leguminous grasses on the experimental field of the institute. The experiment is three-factor and includes three options for maintaining the pre-irrigation soil moisture limit (60, 70 and 80 % of the lowest moisture capacity), three options for the soil nutritional regime (NPK₁, NPK₂ and control – without fertilizers), eight types of legumes are studied according to the third factor. The generally accepted experimental methods were used when setting up experiments and conducting research. Results. In the full germination phase there were from 294 to 386 plants of grass species per 1 sq. m. Their height before harvesting varied according to the experimental variants from 0.60 to 1.01 m in the first cutting, from 0.38 to 0.94 m in the second and from 0.25 to 0.66 m in the third cutting. The grass stand total water consumption in the year of seeding was 4.2–4.7 thous. cub. m/ha, increasing in subsequent years to 4.8–5.7 thous. cub. m/ha. The soil water regime and fertilizers had a significant impact on crop yield. In control options with a pre-irrigation limit of 60 % of the lowest moisture capacity, the green mass yield in the second year was 26.6–40.9 t/ha. With improved soil nutrition and good water supply, the yield increased to 48.2–87.8 t/ha. Sainfoin and blue-hybrid and variegated alfalfa plants responded to the improved growing conditions most actively; 54–88 t/ha of green mass were gathered from these sites during the season. Conclusions. Selection of optimal combinations of soil water and nutrient regimes, as well as the new promising perennial leguminous grasses species and varieties introduction into the field feed production in the Lower Volga region will ensure high and stable yields of fodder rich in energy and nutrients.

OAT ADAPTABILITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS

Global climate changes cause the acceleration of environmental factors changes - temperature, unevenness of precipitation, drought, which has a significant effect on the yield. Food systems need expanded species biodiversity that are multifunctional in use and sufficiently tolerant to growing conditions. One of these cultures is oats which extremely valuable in human nutrition and provision fodder base. The purpose of the research is to establish the adaptability of oat varieties sowing under variable conditions of nutrition, thermal regime and moisture supply during the years of research. Field research with oat varieties was conducted during 2021-2023 in the stationary experiment of the Plant Breeding Department of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine in a separate subdivision "Agronomic Research Station" (Pshenychne village, Fastivskyi district, Kyiv region ) on typical low humus chernozems. Varieties of oats vary in terms of adaptability due to genetic and environmental characteristics and technological factors of cultivation. The analysis of environmental factors was carried out - thermal units accumulation, sums of active and effective temperatures, GTK for biologically active minima at the level +5C and +10C. It is proved that the ecological factors characteristic for growing oats are used for calculation indicators for the biological minimum of +5С. Sums of thermal accumulation units for the period March - July on average for the years 2021 - 2023 was 2229.7; active temperatures for a biologically active minimum of +5С –2004.2; active temperatures for biologically active minimum +10С–1768.5; effective temperatures for a biologically active minimum of +5С–1361.5; effective temperatures for the biologically active minimum +10C–797.1C. The adaptability of varieties was identified through their plasticity and stability. The plasticity of the varieties increased with an increase of macronutrients in combination with sulfur. Highly plastic and stable varieties are Ivory, Zubr, Legin Nosivskyi - the coefficient of plasticity is equal or exceeds 1 for all fertilizing systems. The Ivory variety is high plastic and stable and responds positively to improvement of nutrition conditions: coefficient of plasticity - 1.00 - 1.32, coefficient of stability - 0.00 - 0.037. The Neptune variety is low-plastic and unstable for almost every rates of fertilizers, except for combinations with sulfur. For the Svitanok variety was established a positive reaction to increasing the rates of macroelements in combination with sulfur - the plasticity coefficient increased from 0.65, the stability coefficient from 0.015 in the control variant to 1.70 and 0.018, respectively, for the introduction N120P120K120S45+N30. There was a similar reaction for the Zakat variety - coefficient increased from 0.86 in the control version to 1.44 with applying N120P120K120S45+ N30.

Оценка потребления витаминов пациентами с неалкогольной жировой болезнью печени

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolically determined and alimentary-dependent disease, therefore, the study of nutrition and vitamin supply in patients with NAFLD is extremely important for its treatment and prevention. Objective. To study the dietary pattern and vitamin intake in patients with NAFLD compared to patients without NAFLD and other liver diseases. Patients and methods. A retrospective analysis of a database of patients (n = 613) generated from 2021 to 2023 was performed. A total of 77 pairs of patients with and without NAFLD and other liver diseases were selected by sex, age, and body mass index. The stage of liver steatosis and fibrosis was assessed using vibration-controlled transient elastography with a controlled attenuation parameter. Actual nutrition was assessed using the frequency method in the format of a personal interview. Blood biochemistry testing, including lipid and carbohydrate metabolism parameters, was conducted. Results. It was found that energy, protein, and carbohydrate intake did not differ between the patient groups. More fat intake was revealed in the NAFLD group (91.9 ± 39.3 g/day vs. 80.3 ± 39.4 g/day; p = 0.01). Patients with NAFLD consumed more vitamin A than patients in the control group (988.1 ± 406 mcg/day vs. 949.9 ± 767.2 mcg/day; p = 0.03), thiamine (1.4 ± 0.6 mcg/day vs. 1.3 ± 0.6 mcg/day; p = 0.004), riboflavin (1.9 ± 0.8 mcg/day vs. 1.7 ± 0.8 mcg/day; p = 0.007), folate (320.5 ± 123.5 mcg/day vs. 298.9 ± 138.5 mcg/day; p = 0.03), pyridoxine (1.9 ± 0.8 mg/day vs. 1.7 ± 0.9 mg/day; p = 0.03), pantothenic acid (4.7 ± 1.9 mg/day vs. 4.4 ± 2.1 mg/day; p = 0.046), choline (206.2 ± 119.6 mg/day vs. 159.9 ± 110.8 mg/day; p = 0.004), vitamin D (1.2 ± 0.8 mcg/day vs. 0.9 ± 0.8 mcg/day; p = 0.01), niacin (19.2 ± 8.6 mg/day vs. 17.2 ± 7.6 mg/day; p = 0.01). Inadequate intake of β-carotene, thiamine, cobalamin, folate, choline, vitamin D and vitamin E in patients with NAFLD was found. Conclusion. The dietary intake in the examined groups of patients is insufficient in terms of vitamin supply, which presumably contributes to the development of NAFLD. Key words: vitamin status, dietary pattern, assessment of actual nutrition, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nutritional management in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a retrospective multicentre study.

Although nutritional treatment is an established pillar of multidisciplinary care provided in critical illness, there are many concerns regarding this issue in severe COVID-19. This observational, retrospective, multicentre study aimed to analyse the approach to nutritional treatment among selected intensive care units (ICUs) in Poland. The medical records of 129 patients hospitalized in five units due to respiratory failure following COVID-19 were analysed in terms of nutritional management on the eighth day of the ICU stay. The Harris-Benedict equation (HB), Mifflin St. Jeor equation (MsJ) and ESPEN formula (20 kcal kg -1 body weight) were used to estimate the energy target for each patient, and two ESPEN formulas determined the protein target (1 g kg -1 body weight and 1.3 g kg -1 body weight). Evaluation of nutritional therapy was performed in 129 subjects. The fulfilment of caloric requirement considering the HB, MsJ and ESPEN formula was 66%, 66.7% and 62.5%, respectively. Two clinical centres managed to provide 70% or more of daily caloric requirements. According to the ESPEN formula, the implementation of the protein target was 70%; however, one of the investigated units provided a median of 157% of the protein demand. The nutritional management varied in the preferred route of nutrition administration. Neither method nor grade of nutrition supply influenced biochemical parameters on the 8th day of ICU stay. Significant differences in nutritional treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Polish ICUs were noted, which underlines the importance of setting up clear guidelines regarding this issue.

THE DEPOSITIONAL SETTINGS AND THE HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF THE NEOTETHYS PASSIVE CONTINENTAL MARGIN

The study area is associated with the outer passive wing of the foreland trough that was formed due to collisional-orogenic deformations of the Neotethys Arabian Plate. The sedimentological and paleoenvironmental features of the Cenomanian formation indicate that the carbonate sediments were deposited in a homoclinal ramp depositional settings. The depositional area comprises different bathymetric settings from the intertidal littoral and coastal shallow water to the open and relatively deep sublittoral. Microfacies analysis was performed based on the cores and thin sections observations to investigate the sedimentary and diagenesis evolution. Ten microfacies types are identified showing that carbonates deposited in three major sedimentary facies belts: outer ramp, middle ramp and inner ramp. In response to the relative sea level changes during sedimentation the section comprises of several sedimentary sequences. The sequences mainly reflect the prevailing of twocomponent depositional pattern, i.e., middle ramp and outer ramp, which is a result of low fluctuation of the relative sea level. The complete three-component sequences are associated with predominantly shallow areas that favorable for progradation event even under the low fluctuations of the relative sea level.The highest sedimentation rate is confined to the proximal shallow part of the middle ramp and to the distal part of the inner ramp with favorable conditions for the development of benthic organics due to abundant sunlight and nutrition supply. The best reservoir rocks with intergranular voids, composed of algal oolitic and bioclast grainstones of high dynamic shoal zone.This study provides an insight into reservoir quality prediction and prospect area evaluation of the oil bearing formation in the southern part of stable shelf which is controlled by spatial extension of grain supported deposits of inner ramp and transverse faults.

Nutritional supply: The potential simplest vaccine and therapy as tuberculosis control intervention in China

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease that previously held the distinction of being the leading cause of mortality prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It imposes a significant burden on a global scale. This disease might potentially impact individuals regular nutritional status and impose financial strain on patients family. This article discuss the current state of TB disease burden in China and India, which serve as representative examples of nations with a high burden of this disease. Next, a discussion was held regarding the implementation of ordinary control interventions in China. Considering nutritional support has gained increasing recognition as a novel intervention in the management and control aspect. The potential feasibility of implementing nutritional support as a novel intervention for TB control in China is discussed in this article, drawing upon the success of a trial conducted in India. However, additional research is required prior to the practical implementation.

POTENTIAL AVAILABILITY OF MANGO BY-PRODUCTS IN THE BOBO-DIOULASSO AND ORODARA AREAS OF BURKINA FASO: ASSESSMENT OF THE QUANTITIES OF MANGO BY-PRODUCTS AND MANGO FEED PRODUCIBLE FOR RUMINANTS

The aim of the study was to assess the potential availability of mango by-products in Bobo-Dioulasso and Orodara, with a view to scaling up technologies for their valorization into animal feed. To this end, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 24 drying units and 17 mango producers. The potential quantities of mango by-products and feed that could be produced were calculated. The results show that the potential quantities of mango by-products in the area were 7,857t for the units surveyed and 16,180t for those in operation. The potential quantities of feed that could be produced with these by-products were 4,190t and 8,427t for the surveyed and functional drying units respectively. Cumulative losses from orchards and drying units amounted to 38,994t, and the potential mango feed that could be produced was 19,486t. The potential nutritional supply from these feeds was 18,792t of dry matter (DM), 1,438t of digestible nitrogenous matter (DNM) and 21,547 UFFV. The surveys showed that mango processing and production by-products are available in the study area. Work is needed to scale up technologies for converting mango by-products into feeds that could be used for fattening. This would create added value for the mango sector, while increasing the availability of feed for animal production.

Vaccination against the HDL receptor of S. japonicum inhibits egg embryonation and prevents fatal hepatic complication in rabbit model.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical infectious diseases to overcome and the primary cause of its pathogenesis is ectopic maturation of the parasite eggs. Uptake of cholesteryl ester from the host high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a key in this process in Schistosoma japonicum and CD36-related protein (CD36RP) has been identified as the receptor for this reaction. Antibody against the extracellular domain of CD36RP (Ex160) efficiently blocked the HDL cholesteryl ester uptake and the egg embryonation in vitro. However, whether Ex160 immunization could efficiently raise proper antibody responses to sufficiently block HDL cholesteryl ester uptake and the egg embryonation to protect host in vivo is very interesting but unknown. In this study, rabbits were immunized with the recombinant Ex160 peptide (rEx160) to evaluate its anti-pathogenic vaccine potential. Immunization with rEx160 induced consistent anti-Ex160 IgG antibody and significant reduction in development of the liver granulomatosis lesions associated with suppressed intrahepatic maturation of the schistosome eggs. The immunization with rEx160 rescued reduction of serum HDL by the infection without changing its size distribution, being consistent with interference of the HDL lipid uptake by the parasites or their eggs by antibody against Ex160 in in vitro culture. The results demonstrated that vaccination strategy against nutritional supply pathway of the parasite is effective for reducing its pathogenesis.

Comparative investigation of selenium-enriched Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum as natural sources of selenium supplementation

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health, but its nutritional supply is insufficient in large parts of the world. Mushrooms can be enriched in selenium and can serve as alternative and natural source of selenium supplementation. In the present study, two common mushroom species (Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum), were enriched with two selenium compounds (selenite and selenate) to test their suitability as natural sources of selenium supplementation. Sharp differences in the the metabolic patterns of the fortified selenium were observed. Selenium was effectively metabolized in P. ostreatus but remained in inorganic form in G. lucidum. However, mushrooms extracts were effective in enhancing selenoprotein expression in cell lines. The present study highlights the importance of employing selenium speciation analysis with an element-selective technique to examine the metabolic products following mushroom fortification for nutritional purposes due to the different toxicological profile and bioavailability of different selenium biotransformation products.

Enhanced Production of Microbial Lipid from R. opacus using Bagasse Hydrolysate

One alternative to traditional fossil fuels is biodiesel. It has a negative impact on nutritional supply because it is mostly manufactured from vegetable oils. Due to the possibility that oleaginous microbe lipids (such as those produced by bacteria, fungi and yeasts) could serve as an alternative raw material for the synthesis of biodiesel, the biomass and lipid buildup of Rhodococcus opacus were examined in several environmental settings. The study's current objective is to use the Response surface methodology's central composite design (CCD) to discover the ideal values of specific variables. Rhodococcus opacus, an oleaginous bacterium, was subjected to a CCD design using independent variables such as inoculum ratio, nitrogen concentration and magnesium concentration. The response variable used for the analysis was lipid content. Regarding the experimental data's lipid content%, a polynomial with a second-order model yielded good results (R2 = 96, (P ≤ 0.01)). Rhodococcus opacus produced the best results in the trials with glucose and hydrolysate with biomass concentrations of 4.75 g/L and 4.55 g/L and lipid contents of 71.18% and 66.55% respectively at pH 7. Compared to the starting values prior to optimization, these demonstrate a boost in the lipid concentration and an enhancement in the lipid coefficient. This study further supports the viability of R. opacus as a variant for the generation of biofuel from readily available, low-cost biomass resources.

The crosstalk among the physical tumor microenvironment and the effects of glucose deprivation on tumors in the past decade.

The occurrence and progression of tumors are inseparable from glucose metabolism. With the development of tumors, the volume increases gradually and the nutritional supply of tumors cannot be fully guaranteed. The tumor microenvironment changes and glucose deficiency becomes the common stress environment of tumors. Here, we discuss the mutual influences between glucose deprivation and other features of the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia, immune escape, low pH, and oxidative stress. In the face of a series of stress responses brought by glucose deficiency, different types of tumors have different coping mechanisms. We summarize the tumor studies on glucose deficiency in the last decade and review the genes and pathways that determine the fate of tumors under harsh conditions. It turns out that most of these genes help tumor cells survive in glucose-deprivation conditions. The development of related inhibitors may bring new opportunities for the treatment of tumors.

Clinical practice guidelines for nutritional assessment and monitoring of adult ICU patients in China

The Chinese Society of Critical Care Medicine (CSCCM) has developed the clinical practice guidelines of nutrition assessment and monitoring for patients in adult intensive care unit (ICU) of China. This guideline focuses on nutrition assessment and metabolic monitoring to achieve the optimal and individualized nutrition therapy for critical ill patients. This guideline was made by experts in critical care medicine and evidence-based medicine methodology and was developed after a thorough system review and summary of relevant trials or studies published from 2000 to July 2023. A total of 18 recommendations were formed and consensus was reached through discussions and review by expert groups in critical care medicine, parenteral and enteral nutrition, and surgery. The recommendations are based on the currently available evidence and cover several key fields, including nutrition risk screening and assessment, evaluation and assessment of enteral feeding intolerance, metabolic and nutritional measurement and monitoring during nutrition therapy, and organ function evaluation related to nutrition supply. Each question was analyzed according to the PICO principle. In addition, interpretations were provided for four questions that did not reach a consensus but may have potential clinical and research value. The plan is to update this nutrition assessment and monitoring guideline using the international guideline update method within 3 to 5 years.

β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Alleviates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Death in Ovarian Granulosa Cells.

Maintaining normal functions of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is essential for oocyte development and maturation. The dysfunction of GCs impairs nutrition supply and estrogen secretion by follicles, thus negatively affecting the breeding capacity of farm animals. Impaired GCs is generally associated with declines in Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, which triggers un-controlled oxidative stress, and the oxidative stress, thus, attack the subcellular structures and cause cell damage. β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a NAD+ precursor, has demonstrated well-known antioxidant properties in several studies. In this study, using two types of ovarian GCs (mouse GCs (mGCs) and human granulosa cell line (KGN)) as cell models, we aimed to investigate the potential effects of NMN on gene expression patterns and antioxidant capacity of both mGCs and KGN that were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). As shown in results of the study, mGCs that were exposed to H2O2 significantly altered the gene expression patterns, with 428 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) when compared with those of the control group. Furthermore, adding NMN to H2O2-cultured mGCs displayed 621 DEGs. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in key pathways like cell cycle, senescence, and cell death. Using RT-qPCR, CCK8, and β-galactosidase staining, we found that H2O2 exposure on mGCs obviously reduced cell activity/mRNA expressions of antioxidant genes, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cellular senescence. Notably, NMN supplementation partially prevented these H2O2-induced abnormalities. Moreover, these similar beneficial effects of NMN on antioxidant capacity were confirmed in the KGN cell models that were exposed to H2O2. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that NMN supplementation protects against H2O2-induced impairments in gene expression pattern, cell cycle arrest, and cell death in ovarian GCs through boosting NAD+ levels and provide potential strategies to ameliorate uncontrolled oxidative stress in ovarian GCs.

Global Hunger Index: A multistage coefficient estimation analysis using machine learning techniques for a hunger free society

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is one of the most prominent indices for calculating and describing the severity of hunger level in various countries. Nutrition, mortality, and food supply are the basic parameters defining the hunger index value. Using a single method for coefficient estimation of hunger index parameters is not a viable option. It is necessary to design a new framework which can help us to explore more possibilities for coefficient estimation and for identifying the critical features as well. In this paper, we have proposed a new coefficient estimation technique called Multi-Stage Coefficient Estimation (MSCE) strategy that enhances the prediction rate. MSCE is an aggregation of multiple methods for generating the coefficient values of the associated features group. Decision Tree Regression, Random Forest regression, Logistic Regression (comprising of lbfgs, saga and sag problem solvers), Simple Regression and Multiple Regression coefficient computing methods are used in the proposed framework to estimate the coefficient values. The obtained coefficients were then used to build the max, avg and min regression equations for prediction. The introduced methodology is applied on the global hunger index data collected from the GHI repository. The results of the proposed MSCE methodology were compared with other popular approaches like Simple Linear Regression, and Multiple Linear Regression in terms of Mean Absolute Error, Mean Square Error, Root Mean Square Error, R- Squared and Adjusted R-Squared metrics. The proposed MSCE strategy achieved better results when compared with existing methods.

Performance of Vegetable Based Cropping Sequence under INM in Protected Conditions

The field experiment was conducted in a naturally ventilated arched saw teeth polyhouse department of vegetable science, faculty of horticulture, BCKV, Kolkata, West Bengal. Vegetable crops were produced in appropriate cropping rotations under integrated nutrient management with acceptable cultural methods in the current study. Four different cropping sequences and five various levels of nutrition supplies were used in the experiment. With four replications, the experiment was set up in a Split plot design. Plant height [at first harvesting], number of leaves, number of primary branches, days required for first harvesting, fruit yield per plant and yield per square metre of component crops did not show any significant variation over the two-year cropping cycle, but observed a gradual improvement in consecutive years of cropping. All growth and reproductive characters of component crops in the cropping sequence differed statistically from the first to the second year cropping under the influence of different levels of combined nutrient management, with the highest values for these characters obtained under L1 (100 percent Recommended dose of fertilizer (R.D.) through inorganic source), but results are statistically comparable to L2 (application of 50 percent R.D. of NPK + Vermicompost) and L3 (application of 50 percent R.D of NPK + FYM). However, there was no substantial variation in growth and yield parameters when cropping sequence and nutrient management were combined. It can be concluded Supplementation of organic fertilisers along suitable cropping sequences with short duration vegetable crops would be beneficial for long term soil fertility and crop vigour point of view.