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The growth hormone receptor (GHR) 1A mRNA decreases after calving in the liver of Holstein dairy cows and may coordinate nutrient partitioning. The hypothesis that the decrease in GHR1A mRNA around the time of calving was characteristic of a second dairy breed was tested by examining Guernsey cows in addition to Holstein cows. Holstein and Guernsey cows were housed together and paired by parity and expected calving date. Liver biopsies and blood samples were collected prepartum (d -20 ± 1) and postpartum on d 3, and d 14 ± 1. The amounts of GHR1A, GHR1B, GHR1C, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)1 mRNA were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Blood concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and IGF1 were measured by RIA. Both breeds underwent a decrease in GHR1A mRNA, a decrease in liver IGF1 mRNA, a decrease in blood IGF1, and an increase in blood GH after calving. The decrease in liver GHR1A and IGF1 mRNA after calving may be an inherent characteristic of dairy breeds that enables nutrient partitioning for greater milk production. Independent genetic selection in 2 dairy breeds seemingly exploited a similar mechanism, reduced GHR1A expression, to decrease blood IGF1 and increase blood GH, a key hormone involved in nutrient partitioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The somatotropic axis [including growth hormone (GH), GH receptor, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I] is uncoupled in high-producing cows in early lactation so that the liver fails to respond to GH and produces less IGF-I. This uncoupling was implicated in the process of nutrient partitioning, enabling high milk production. Different genetic selection goals may affect functional components of the somatotropic axis. Thus, the somatotropic axis was examined in diverse genetic strains of dairy cows [North American Holstein 1990 (NA90), New Zealand Holstein-Friesian 1990 (NZ90), and New Zealand Holstein-Friesian 1970 (NZ70)] that were managed similarly within a pasture-based system but were offered feed allowances commensurate with their genetic ability to produce milk. The NA90 cows produced more milk (26.2 ± 0.3, 24.1 ± 0.3, and 20.1 ± 0.4 kg/d, for NA90, NZ90, and NZ70, respectively), but had lower milk fat percentages (4.28 ± 0.03, 4.69 ± 0.03, and 4.58 ± 0.04 kg/d for NA90, NZ90, and NZ70, respectively) compared with both NZ strains. Milk protein percentages (3.38 ± 0.02, 3.52 ± 0.02, and 3.29 ± 0.03 kg/d for NA90, NZ90, and NZT0, respectively) were greater for NZ90 cows. During early lactation (wk 2 to 6), the total net energy produced in milk was greater in NA90 compared with NZ90 or NZT0 cows, but total net energy in milk after wk 6 was equivalent for NA90 and NZ90 cows. The greater milk production in early lactation in NA90 cows was associated with lower body condition scores (BCS; 1 to 10 scale; 4.0 ± 0.1) elevated blood GH concentrations (1.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL), and low blood IGF-I concentrations (14.8 ± 1.1 ng/mL), indicating an uncoupled somatotropic axis. In comparison, the NZ70 cows retained a coupled somatotropic axis during early lactation, maintaining greater BCS (4.6 ± 0.1), lower blood GH (0.7 ± 0.1 ng/ mL), and greater blood IGF-I (21.9 ± 1.2 ng/mL). The degree of uncoupling in NZ90 cows was intermediate between the other 2 strains. Additional feed allowance failed to change blood IGF-I concentrations in NA90 cows but increased IGF:I concentrations in NZ90 cows (20.9 ± 1.4 and 13.2 ± 1.4 ng/mL for the high and low feed allowance, respectively). Furthermore, additional feed allowance in NZ90 cows lessened BCS loss in early lactation, but did not affect BCS loss in NA90 cows. Functional components of the somatotropic axis differed for the respective strains and were consistent with strain differences in milk production, BCS, and feed allowance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The leaves of Carduus and Sesbania and seeds of Fenugreek and their extracts in water, methanol/water (1:1 and 0.95:0.05, v/v) were evaluated for their effects on methane production and partitioning of nutrients in hay or concentrate-hay (68:32)-based diets. When incubated alone, all the three test plants had higher (P<0.05) partitioning factor (PF), expressed as mg truly degraded substrate/ml gas produced (from 3.35 to 4.86) compared to the basal substrate hay (PF=3.11) or concentrate-hay mixture (PF=3.16), indicating increased efficiency of microbial mass production. The lowest net methane production of 0.120ml/ml of net gas and 0.0283ml/mg on truly degraded substrate basis was obtained for Carduus when rumen liquor was taken from hay fed animal; and when rumen liquor was taken from concentrate fed animal these values for Carduus were 0.116ml/ml of net gas and 0.0253ml/mg truly degraded substrate. These values were lower when compared for hay or concentrate-hay mixture as a substrate (0.176–0.185ml/ml of net gas and 0.0565–0.0587ml/mg truly degraded substrate) (P<0.05). These values for Fenugreek and Sesbania were intermediate between those for hay and Carduus. On supplementation to the basal diets, Carduus reduced methane level by 20–21.5% on substrate-degraded basis (P<0.05) for both the basal diets. Saponin rich Fenugreek and Sesbania did not show any methane inhibition on volume basis despite decrease in the protozoal numbers by nearly 50% in both the basal diets. On the other hand, supplementation of Fenugreek and Sesbania to hay or concentrate-hay mixture increased the PF and decreased methane production per unit substrate degraded, suggesting that these supplements enhanced the efficiency of rumen fermentation. The methanol/water (1:1, v/v) extract of Carduus reduced methane level by 7.6–7.8% (P<0.05) while no reduction was observed for Fenugreek and Sesbania extracts. No change in methane levels on addition of a tannin inactivating agent, polyethylene glycol (MW 6000) or of saponin rich fraction from Carduus leaves to the in vitro incubations containing Carduus leaves together with very low saponin content in these leaves showed that the active moiety(ies) in Carduus is non-tannin and non-saponin. The efficacy of the supplements studied in this study in vitro should be investigated in vivo. The supplementation of Carduus leaves could be effective for both roughage and concentrate fed animals; whereas, Fenugreek seeds and Sesbania leaves are expected to be more effective for concentrate fed animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Overnourishing the singleton-bearing adolescent sheep throughout pregnancy promotes maternal tissue synthesis at the expense of the nutrient requirements of the gravid uterus. Consequently, the growth of the placenta is impaired and results in the premature delivery of low-birth-weight lambs relative to moderately fed adolescents of equivalent age. To establish if this phenomenon is unique to the growing animal, singleton pregnancies to a single sire were established by embryo transfer into primiparous adult ewes who had attained the normal mature body size for their genotype. Thereafter ewes were offered a maintenance or a high level of a complete diet throughout gestation. High maternal intakes resulted in elevated maternal insulin, no significant change in growth hormone or glucose, and attenuated progesterone and NEFA concentrations. Live weight gain during the first 93 d of gestation was 48 and 244 g/d, and adiposity score at term was 2??4 and 3??7 in the maintenance and high groups, respectively (P<0??001). In spite of achieving levels of adiposity similar to overnourished adolescents, placental (477 (sem 30) v. 518 (sem 41) g) and fetal (5190 (sem 320) v. 5420 (sem 250) g) weights were equivalent in maintenance and high groups. Gestation length was shorter (P<0??01) and colostrum yield at parturition lower (P<0??05) in high v. maintenance dams. Thus, adult sheep appear to be relatively insensitive to the oversupply of nutrients during pregnancy and have the ability to meet the nutrient requirements for normal conceptus growth in spite of their increased adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the dynamics of nutrient uptake by strawberry plants grown under field conditions and the root nitrogen (N) uptake, storage and remobilisation by soilless grown plants. Uptake and partitioning of nutrients were determined by successive destructive plant harvest and mineral analysis of plant organs of two field grown varieties (‘Idea’ and ‘Marmolada’). Plants were destructively harvested at different developing stages and divided into roots, crowns, leaves, flower stalks, fruits. In an additional trial, the same approach was applied to two sets of plants either not fertilised or receiving (in kgha−1) 55 N, 10 phosphorus (P), 108 potassium (K) and 22 magnesium (Mg). In both cultivars the growth rate increased after blossom until end of fruit ripening, and nutrient uptake rate was lower in autumn than in spring. For K no net uptake was observed between mid autumn and the dormant period. Potassium was the nutrient absorbed in spring at the highest rates followed by N, calcium (Ca), Mg and P. Calculated on hectare basis, total plant removal by fertilised plants ranged between 78 and 91kg N, 12 and 17kg P, 92 and 125kg K, 58 and 91kg Ca, 19 and 23kg Mg. Mineral partitioning among plant organs varied with nutrients: Ca was mainly recovered in leaves, magnesium was almost equally partitioned between leaves and fruit while N, P and K were especially found in fruits. The roots and the crowns accounted for only small proportion of total plant nutrients at the end of fruiting season. Root N uptake in autumn, winter storage, remobilisation of N reserves and spring N uptake were studied applying 15N technique to potted strawberry plants of cv. Onda grown under greenhouse conditions. Nitrogen at high and low levels was supplied as unlabelled calcium nitrate in autumn. Plants were transferred in February into new pots filled with sterile sand. In spring both sets of plants were supplied with labelled Ca(15NO3)2. High N supply in autumn significantly increased biomass and N content in plant organs, but did not affect fruit yields and quality. In spring, N was remobilised from roots and crowns to sustain growth. Remobilisation of N to new growth was completed by blooming, and around 40% of stored N was translocated to new growth. Plant partitioned to fruits a significant fraction of absorbed N, especially during the fruit ripening stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ability of poultry litter to support plant growth by supplying essential plant nutrients in the absence of other sources of the nutrients has not been studied thoroughly. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the ability of poultry litter, as the sole nutrient source, to provide macronutrients and support growth of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) (2) evaluate the distribution of these nutrients within the different plant parts, and (3) estimate the efficiency with which these nutrients are extracted by cotton. The research was conducted in plastic containers filled with a 2:1 (v/v) sand:vermiculite growing mix under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included broiler litter rates of 0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 g pot -1 with or without supplemental Hoagland's nutrient solution. Broiler litter supplied adequate amounts of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) and supported normal growth of cotton. Tissue nutrient analysis showed that the concentration of N, P, K, and Mg in the upper mainstem leaves was within published sufficiency ranges for cotton growth. Evaluation of the N distribution indicated that the cotton plant partitions N to reproductive parts when faced with deficiency of this nutrient and favors allocating N to new leaf growth once the requirement for reproductive growth is met. The partitioning of P was similar to that of N but less distinct. Cotton extracted Mg and K with greater efficiency (up to 58%) than the other nutrients and stored these nutrients in older leaves. The extraction efficiency of N ranged between 21% at 120 g pot -1 litter and 27% at 30 g pot -1 litter. Phosphorus was the most poorly extracted nutrient, with only 16% of the total applied P extracted when 30 g pot -1 litter was applied and only 6% extracted at the higher litter rates. This suggests that the same problem of P buildup that has been reported in soils under pasture may also occur when poultry litter is repeatedly applied to the same soil planted to cotton. These results show that broiler litter not only supplied enough N but also supplied the four other macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg) in amounts sufficient to support normal cotton growth. This research implies that poultry litter can effectively substitute for several fertilizers to meet crop macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) needs in soils deficient in any or all of these nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To determine the impact of obesity on adipocyte cell size and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake kinetics in human subjects undergoing laparoscopic abdominal surgery. SUBJECTS:: A total of 10 obese patients (BMI 49.8±11.9 (s.d.) kg/m2) undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery, and 10 nonobese subjects (BMI 24.2±2.3?kg/m2) undergoing other clinically indicated laparoscopic abdominal surgical procedures. MEASUREMENTS:: Cell size distribution and[3H]oleic acid uptake kinetics were studied in adipocytes isolated from omental fat biopsies obtained during surgery. Adipocyte surface area (SA) was calculated from the measured cell diameters. Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations were measured by RIA in fasting blood samples obtained on the morning of surgery. RESULTS:: The mean SA of obese adipocytes (41?508±5381?µ2/cell) was increased 2.4-fold compared to that of nonobese adipocytes (16?928±6529?µ2/cell; P<0.01). LCFA uptake in each group was the sum of saturable and nonsaturable components. Both the Vmax of the saturable component (21.3±6.3 vs 5.1±1.9?pmol/s/50?000 cells) and the rate constant k of the nonsaturable component (0.015±0.002 vs 0.0066±0.0023?ml/s/50?000 cells) were increased (P<0.001) in obese adipocytes compared with nonobese controls. When expressed relative to cell size, Vmax/µ2 SA was greater in obese than nonobese adipocytes (P<0.05), whereas k/µ2 SA did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION:: The data support the concepts that (1) adipocyte LCFA uptake consists of distinct facilitated (saturable) and diffusive processes; (2) increased saturable LCFA uptake in obese adipocytes is not simply a consequence of increased cell size, but rather reflects upregulation of a facilitated transport process; and (3) the permeability of adipocyte plasma membranes to LCFA is not appreciably altered by obesity, and increased nonsaturable uptake in obese adipocytes principally reflects an increase in cell SA. Regulation of saturable LCFA uptake by adipocytes may be an important control point for body adiposity.International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 196-203. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802868 Published online 30 November 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberculosis is an important cause of wasting. The functional consequences of wasting and recovery may depend on the distribution of lost and gained nutrient stores between protein and fat masses. Objective: The goal was to study nutrient partitioning, ie, the proportion of weight change attributable to changes in fat mass (FM) versus protein mass (PM), during antimycobacterial treatment. Design: Body-composition measures were made of 21 men and 9 women with pulmonary tuberculosis at baseline and after 1 and 6 mo of treatment. All subjects underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and deuterium bromide dilution tests, and a four-compartment model of FM, total body water (TBW), bone minerals (BM), andPM was derived. The ratio ofPMtoFMat any time was expressed as the energy content (p-ratio). Changes in the p-ratio were related to disease severity as measured by radiologic criteria. Results: Patients gained 10% in body weight (P < 0.001) from baseline to month 6. This was mainly due to a 44% gain in FM (P< 0.001); PM, BM, and TBW did not change significantly. Results were similar inmenand women. The p-ratio decreased from baseline to month 1 and then fell further by month 6. Radiologic disease severity was not correlated with changes in the p-ratio. Conclusions: Microbiological cure of tuberculosis does not restore PM within 6 mo, despite a strong anabolic response. Change in the p-ratio is a suitable parameter for use in studying the effect of disease on body composition because it allows transformation of such effects into a normal distribution across a wide range of baseline proportion between fat and protein mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously we have found that recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (GH; 74 ng g body wt.−1) administration to weaned BALB/c male mice (fed 12% or 20% protein diet) induced a growth lag and subsequent repletion similar to the catch-up growth process. We studied the partitioning of feed and protein intakes between adipose and protein body stores through the linear relationships among them. The non-linear relationship of protein intake with body fat gain/protein gain (FG/PG) ratio was especially adequate in determining the partitioning of substrates. rhGH induced an increase in feed and protein intake utilization for body weight gain (50%) and fat gain (75–140%) over saline; macronutrient utilization was the greatest in rhGH-treated mice fed 20% protein. However, growth recovery of rhGH mice was anomalous and protein intake was derived primarily for fat gain. Mice fed 12% protein (treated and control) also derived protein intake in preference to fat stores. Treatment and diet had a cumulative effect with the result that rhGH-treated animals fed 12% protein showed the greatest FG/PG ratio (1.6), and therefore, the lowest efficiency to gain protein. Weaning is a critical stage in mice when treating with rhGH, as this could provoke a growth lag. The study showed that a high protein level is required to surpass the rhGH-induced lag, but it is not enough to obtain an enhanced protein deposition. Feeding a 12% protein diet was even worse as mice did not improve on the growth lag and substrates were directed mainly to body fat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Variations in energy balance, body composition, and nutrient partitioning induced by high-fat feeding, cold exposure or by concomitant high-fat feeding and cold exposure were studied in young Wistar rats. Changes in hepatic metabolism as well as in serum free triiodothyronine and leptin levels were also evaluated. Rats were exposed to either 24 or 4°C and fed either a low- or high-fat diet (10 % or 50 % energy respectively) for 2 weeks. Relative to low-fat feeding at 24°C, both energy intake and expenditure were increased by high-fat feeding or by cold exposure, and these changes were accompanied by increased serum triiodothyronine levels. In response to concomitant high-fat feeding and cold exposure, serum triiodothyronine tended to be further elevated, but no further increases in energy intake or energy expenditure were observed. Independently of diet, the increased energy expenditure in cold-exposed rats was not completely balanced by adaptive hyperphagia, with consequential reductions in protein and fat gain, accompanied by marked decreases in serum leptin. Furthermore, unlike high-fat feeding at 24°C, cold exposure enhanced hepatic mitochondrial oxidative capacity both in the low-fat- and high-fat-fed groups. It is concluded that in this strain of young Wistar rats, despite similarly marked stimulation of energy expenditure by high-fat feeding at 24°C, by cold exposure and by concomitant high-fat feeding and cold exposure, an increased hepatic oxidative capacity occurred only in the presence of the cold stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Appropriate nutrient partitioning between the maternal body and gravid uterus is essential for optimum fetal growth and neonatal survival, and in adult sheep nutrient partitioning during pregnancy generally favours the conceptus at the expense of the dam. However, recent studies using an overnourished adolescent sheep model demonstrate that the hierarchy of nutrient partitioning during pregnancy can be dramatically altered in young growing females. Overnourishing the adolescent dams to promote rapid maternal growth throughout pregnancy results in a major restriction in placental mass and leads to a significant decrease in birth weight relative to moderately-fed adolescents of equivalent gynaecological age. High maternal feed intakes are also associated with an increased incidence of non-infectious spontaneous abortion, a reduction in gestation length and colostrum production, and a higher incidence of neonatal mortality. The present paper examines the putative role of a variety of endocrine regulators of nutrient partitioning in this unusual model system, where the dam is overnourished while the stunted placenta restricts nutrient supply to the fetus. The central role of nutritionally-mediated alterations in placental growth and development in setting the subsequent pattern of nutrient partitioning between the maternal body, placenta and fetus is examined, and critical periods of sensitivity to alterations in maternal nutritional status are defined. Finally, the consequences of this form of inappropriate nutrient partitioning on the growth and development of the fetus and neonate are described with particular emphasis on the reproductive axis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The intense metabolism of cancer cells leads to hypoxia and lack of crucial nutrients in the tumor microenvironment, which hinders the function of immune cells. We designed a biomimetic immune metabolic nanoplatform, in which a type I aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer and a glutamine antagonist are encapsulated into a cancer cell membrane for achieving specific delivery in vivo . This approach greatly satisfies the glucose and glutamine required by T cells, significantly improves the tumor hypoxic environment, enables the reprogramming of tumor and immune cell metabolism, induces immunogenic cell death, promotes dendritic cell maturation, and effectively inhibits tumor proliferation. Strong tumor-specific immune responses are further triggered, and the tumor immune-suppressing microenvironment is modulated, by decreasing the number of immunosuppressive cells. Moreover, subsequent combination with anti-PD-1 is able to generate strong abscopal effects to prevent tumor distant metastasis and provide long-term immune memory against tumor recurrence.

Simple Summary: The nutritional recommendations for pigs largely focus on pigs with lean genotypes fed ad libitum until reaching up to 140 kg in body weight (BW). Under different rearing conditions, it is still unclear whether existing recommendations apply to pigs that weigh more than 140 kg in BW, especially in heavy pig production systems. In the current study, pigs growing from 90 to 200 kg in BW were raised with different feeding strategies. We observed that energy restriction had a negligible effect on pigs' estimated metabolizable energy requirements at heavier BW under different feeding conditions. Under energy and protein restrictions, a value of 0.73 could be assumed as the maximum marginal efficiency of standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID lysine) utilization for protein deposition irrespective of BW, which corresponds to 9.8 g of SID lysine per 100 g of protein deposition as a minimum requirement. The current nutrient recommendations focus on pigs fed ad libitum up to 140 kg in body weight (BW). It remains unclear whether this applies to pigs weighing above 140 kg in BW under different rearing conditions. This study aimed to estimate protein (Pd) and lipid (Ld) depositions and the metabolizable energy (ME), standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID lysine) requirement and partitioning in 224 C21 Goland pigs (90–200 kg in BW). The control pigs (C) received diets limiting ME up to 170 kg in slaughter weight (SW) at 9 months of age (SA); older (OA) pigs had restricted diets limiting ME and SID lysine up to 170 kg in SW at >9 months SA; younger (YA) pigs were fed nonlimited amounts of ME and SID lysine up to 170 kg in SW at <9 months SA; and greater weight (GW) pigs were fed as the YA group, with 9 months SA at >170 kg in SW. The estimated MEm averaged 1.03 MJ/kg0.60. An 11% increase in MEm was observed in OA pigs compared to the controls. Energy restriction had negligible effects on the estimated MEm. The marginal efficiency of SID lysine utilization for Pd averaged 0.725, corresponding to a SID lysine requirement of 9.8 g/100 g Pd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are essential elements for crop growth. The absorption, accumulation process and distribution of these nutrients affect not only the growth and grain yield, but also the grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Various fertilization and irrigation practices can influence wheat growth as well as the absorption and utilization of nutrient elements. A four-season (2014–2018) experiment was conducted on drip-fertigated winter wheat on the Loess Plateau of China with three irrigation levels and three fertilization rates. Irrigation rates included normal irrigation (W1), mild deficit irrigation (W2) and more severe deficit irrigation (W3), while fertilization rates (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O) included F1 (175–117–150 kg ha−1), F2 (125–84–108 kg ha−1) and F3 (75–50–65 kg ha−1). The results showed that NPK uptake in aboveground biomass decreased as the water stress increased, but there was no significant difference between W1 and W2. When sufficient water and fertilizer were applied, the stem, leaf and rachis + glume obtained higher proportion of NP, while grain nitrogen and phosphorus harvest index (NHI and PHI) decreased. When the supply of water and fertilizer was insufficient, NHI and PHI increased, and the proportion of vegetative organs was relatively low. The average NPK requirement for 100 kg grain (GNR, GPR and GKR) varied 1.93–3.03, 0.37–0.41 and 2.26–2.93 kg over the four seasons. GNR and GKR increased with increasing irrigation and fertilization regimes. With the increase of irrigation amount, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) first increased and then decreased slightly, and the maximum IWUE occurred under W2. Yield and IWUE increased with the increase of fertilization rate, but there was no significant difference between F1 and F2. F2 obtained higher partial factor productivity than F1. F1 and F2 had no significant difference in protein content and protein yield, but they obtained significantly higher values than F3. Therefore, W2F2 was an efficient water and fertilizer management practice for drip-fertigated winter wheat, which promoted nutrients transfer to grains without significantly reducing grain yield and protein. • Drip fertigation effects on nutrient uptake and utilization of winter wheat were explored. • When sufficient water-fertilizer applied, grain nitrogen and phosphorus harvest index decreased. • Average NPK requirement for 100 kg grain were 1.93–3.03, 0.37–0.41 and 2.26–2.93 kg, respectively. • W2F2 promoted nutrients transfer to grains without significantly reducing yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in oil-palm breeding and agronomic practices may have influenced the dry-matter production and nutrient demand of tenera oil palm since the last comprehensive studies published some three decades ago. This has raised concerns, since updated knowledge of nutrient requirements at various stages of oil palm growth is essential for formulating fertilizer recommendations that meet agronomic, economic, and environmental objectives. We therefore filled in this knowledge gap with the objective to quantify the standing biomass, dry-matter production, and nutrient demand of tenera oil palm of different ages, grown under current agronomic practices. Tenera palms were sampled at 12, 29, 48, 88, 133, 209, and 238 months since nursery planting and separated into spear leaves, leaflets, rachis, petiole, leaf bases, cabbage, trunk, bole, and roots attached to bole for determination of dry weights and nutrient contents. Fruit bunches were harvested, with dry weights and nutrient contents of ripe bunches determined. Annual dry-matter production was calculated from dry weights of different plant parts, and together with nutrient concentrations determined in these plant parts and fruit bunches, annual nutrient demand was calculated. Excluding roots, the total standing vegetative biomass increased almost linearly from 1.3 kg palm−1 at 12 months old to 808.6 kg palm−1 at 238 months old. Whole-palm dry-matter production increased with palm age but at a decreasing rate, from 1.5 kg palm−1 year−1 at 12 months old to 285.5 kg palm−1 year−1 after 133 months, with little increase thereafter. The maximum rates of nutrient demand occurred after 209 months, coinciding with peak production of fruit bunches—except for K, which occurred at month 88 when vegetative growth demand for K peaked. Annual gross amounts of nutrients required to produce 25 t fresh fruit bunches ha−1 were 1.99 kg N, 0.28 kg P, 3.94 kg K, 0.42 kg Mg, 0.99 kg Ca, and 2.5 g B per palm. The net amounts of nutrients required to meet similar production level of fruit bunches were 1.04 kg N, 0.16 kg P, 1.85 kg K, 0.26 kg Mg, 0.47 kg Ca, and 1.3 g B per palm per year if all nutrients contained in the pruned leaves were recycled. These results provide much-needed updated data on the dry-matter production and nutrient demand of tenera oil palm grown under current agronomic practices and also serve as a general yardstick for practitioners to further refine fertilizer recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matching fertilization with crop needs is important for maximizing yields and reducing fertilizer losses. Seasonal variation in nutrient uptake dynamics is poorly understood and thus, the ability to optimize fertilization strategies is limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of planting dates on macronutrient uptake dynamics in cassava genotypes with full irrigation. The performance of cassava genotypes, i.e., CMR38-125-77, Kasetsart 50 and Rayong 11, were evaluated in the early rainy (ERS) and post rainy seasons (PRS) for two years using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The plants were harvested at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Planting dates had significant effects on the accumulation of dry matter and storage roots as well as nutrient uptakes and partitioning. On average, the total nutrient uptake per plant to produce 2831–3279 g of biomass with 1244–1810 g of storage roots in the ERS varied among cassava genotypes, ranging from 21.1–24.3 g N, 5.1–5.9 g P, 26.5–29.5 g K, 14.1–22.2 g Ca, 6.1–7.6 g Mg and 2.0–2.3 g S. The total nutrient uptake per plant to produce 3353–3824 g of biomass with 1604–2253 g of storage roots in the PRS ranged from 27.1–32.4 g N, 5.2–6.0 g P, 29.1–31.3 g K, 11.9–20.3 g Ca, 7.3–9.9 g Mg and 1.2–1.5 g S. In the ERS, the majority of the total nutrient uptake occurred at the early growth stages, whereas in the PRS, this occurred at the mid- to late growth stages. At final harvest, the percentages of nutrient removal by the storage roots for ERS were 24.7–36.0% N, 26.0–32.3% P, 43.4–51.5% K, 12.4–17.6% Ca, 22.2–31.5% Mg and 27.2–31.5% S, whereas in the PRS the percentages were 30.4–44.4% N, 33.3–41.6% P, 44.7–57.3% K, 12.0–15.1% Ca, 20.2–28.1% Mg and 12.0–25.4% S. CMR38-125-77 exhibited satisfactory performance in nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and storage roots yield across the planting dates. The evidence obtained from this study would greatly facilitate more efficient adoption of precision agriculture in cassava production by applying recommended fertilizers, e.g., rates, kinds and timings, according to crop demand in each growing season in Thailand and for choosing superior cassava genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When heterotrophic cell suspension cultures of Chenopodium rubrum were subjected to water stress by incubation in increasing concentrations of sorbitol there was an immediate shrinking of the protoplast volume. Glucose uptake decreased in parallel. When the external water potential was greater than 0.5 MPa, a change in the partitioning of this incoming carbon was observed, resulting in a doubling of the ratio of sucrose to starch. This was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of the glycolytic intermediates and a particularly pronounced increase in the levels of fructose-2,6- bisphosphate and malate. The extractable activity of sucrose phosphate synthase was determined using a new method which overcomes the problem of uridine-diphosphate loss from the assay medium. It was found that sucrose phosphate synthase activity decreased in the water stressed cells. Therefore, the higher sucrose concentration in these cells is attributed to the increase in metabolite concentrations alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron (B) is a micronutrient essential for the normal growth of monocots, dicots, conifers, ferns and several diatom species. Boron deficiency causes many anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes, making it difficult to identify a primary role for it; however, evidence does indicate that B is involved at the membrane level. Whatever the role(s), it likely involves the complexation of B with compounds containing cis-hydroxyl groups. Boron deficiency in crops is more widespread than deficiency of any other micronutrient. Nutritional disorders in vegetables include brown heart in rutabaga, turnip and radish roots, and hollow stem in cauliflower and broccoli. The occurrence of these disorders even when B is in ample supply suggests that they are physiological in nature and related to the mobility of Bin the plant. The distribution of B is related to the loss of water from shoot organs, suggesting that it is primarily xylem-mobile with limited retranslocation in phloem. However, research has shown that B is present in the phloem, albeit at low concentration, and that it is generally retranslocated in the phloem to satisfy the demands of sink organs that do not readily transpire. Further progress into the mechanism(s) of B retranslocation will be facilitated by insights into the role and metabolism of B in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to store substantial amounts of energy as lipid in adipose tissue has allowed development of a variety of strategies in wild animals to meet the considerable metabolic challenge of lactation. The ability to use adipose tissue energy has also been critical for development of the exceptional rates of milk production achieved in the dairy cow. Lactation thus results in profound changes in adipose tissue metabolism, the molecular bases of which are beginning to be resolved in domestic ruminants and laboratory rodents. In addition to its role as an energy store, adipose tissue has a variety of other functions (e.g., modulation of mammary development, appetite, immune system function), some of which are important for lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune system is usually viewed as an effector mechanism reacting to environmental antigenic challenge with defensive responses designed to eliminate 'foreign' substances and return to standby or surveillance mode. However, there is now substantial evidence to suggest that immunity is not effector-biased but is also a sensory organ and forms part of an integrated homeostatic network. Evidence that communication pathways exist between the immune and central nervous sytems which support bi-directional information flow, and that the output of the immune system influences other physiological adjustments to environmental change, is discussed in this paper, The proposition that an endocrine-immune gradient determines the homeostatic response to combined microbial and other ambient stressors is established and the potential for management of this gradient is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the regulation of glucose transporter gene expression in mammary gland, muscle, and fat of lactating cows by administration of bovine growth hormone and bovine growth hormone-releasing factor. Topics discussed include effects of growth hormone on adipocytes and muscle, and regulation of glucose utilization by glucose transport in skeletal muscle and fat.

Nitrogen contamination in ground water of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) producing areas has indicated a need for improved management of N and water, particularly on sandy soil. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted with the objective of following the recovery and partitioning of starterNH andNO into potato plant tops and tubers in conjunction with additional supplementarily applied NHNO. Potato plants treated with starterNH orNO tended to increase the percent recovery of starterN in tubers sampled from one growth time to the next to reach nearly 40% recovery toward the end of the season. Whole plants reached peak recovery of around 50% of the starterN near mid-season. From then on, there was a trend for loss of starterN by senescence, defoliation or translocation to the roots. The percent recovery of starterN was significantly higher at final tuber harvest (not whole plants) for the treatment with starterNH at 112 kg ha combined with 112 kg ha of supplemental N as compared to the treatment with 112 kg ha of starterNH plus 224 kg ha of supplemental N. This difference may have been a result of isotope dilution. Early in June the accumulation of starterNO in whole plants was about five times as high as that from starterNH. Later there was no difference in percent recovery of these two forms of N. The temporary delay in starterNH uptake was probably related to slow nitrification early in the season instead of preferential uptake of starterNO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Forest harvest residues (FHR) increased the mass of fine roots by 41%. • The acquisition of N and P by plants decreased in treatments with FHR. • Combining FHR with fertilization is a good strategy to replace nutrients. • Fertilizations can be reduced in some tropical eucalypt plantations. Tropical eucalypt plantations are important sources of forest products and services. In these systems, nutrient management is a key practice, and consistent efforts are necessary to optimize the use of nutrient sources and maintain the sustainability of the forests. In this work, we evaluated the effects of nutrient management practices (fertilization and forest harvest residue management (FHRM)) and their interactions on the growth (root and shoot growth), nutrient acquisition, partitioning of nutrients, and nutrient use efficiency of trees in tropical eucalypt plantations. The experiment was conducted for five years, under field conditions, in a representative area of eucalypt production in Três Lagoas, MS, Brazil. The treatments consisted of two FHRM systems (with or without forest residues on the forest floor) combined with three levels of fertilization (replacement, potential fertilization and control (without fertilization)) in a full factorial, in randomized blocks, with three replicates. The addition of forest harvest residue (FHR) increased the mass of fine roots by 41%. There was no effect of the treatments on the aboveground plant biomass or wood volume. In general, lower fertilization rates combined with FHR provided a similar acquisition of macro- and micronutrients by plants as the treatments with high fertilization. The acquisition of N and P by plants decreased in treatments with FHR. However, this effect was offset, at least in part, by a higher internal N and P use efficiency in plants. A similar pattern was observed for the other macro- and micronutrients (i.e., a lower nutrient uptake was compensated by a higher internal nutrient use efficiency in plants). Our findings add evidences that fertilization can be reduced in some tropical eucalypt plantations, although the responses of eucalypts to fertilization are generally significantly high in these regions, and the amount of fertilizer applied cannot be reduced deliberately. Our findings also indicate that combining FHR with fertilization is an important strategy to sustainably replace nutrients in these systems, even when nutrient-poor residues are used. The quantitative data we provide in this work may also help modelers to improve empirical and mechanistic models of nutrient dynamics in forest plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: One of the main characteristics of the periparturient period is the mobilization of adipose and muscle reserves to support the metabolic demands of fetal growth and lactation. A comparison of cattle with low vs. high longissimus dorsi thickness in late gestation demonstrated that high-muscle cows gained additional backfat, whereas cattle with less muscle thickness gained additional muscle, from approximately one month prior to calving through calving. High-muscle cows subsequently mobilized more muscle and fat than low-muscle cows and yielded less milk through 60 days in milk. Thereby, the relative amount of muscle mass in late gestation may be related to metabolic strategies that support the fetus and milk production during the periparturient period. Due to insufficient dry matter intake and heightened nutrient requirements in early lactation, periparturient dairy cows mobilize adipose and muscle tissues to bridge energy and amino acid gaps, respectively. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between the relative muscle thickness of late pregnant cows and their early lactation performance. At 35 d before expected calving (BEC), longissimus dorsi muscle thickness (LDT) was measured in forty-one multiparous Holstein cows via ultrasound. Tissue mobilization was evaluated via ultrasound images of LDT and backfat thickness (BFT) at 21 and 7 d BEC as well as at 0, 10, 30, and 60 DIM. Plasma concentrations of 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), creatinine (CRE), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were evaluated weekly. Milk yield and milk component data were collected through 60 DIM. Cattle were assigned post hoc to high-muscle (HM; n = 20; LDT > 4.49 cm) or low-muscle (LM; n = 21; ≤4.37 cm) groups, with mean LDT at 35 d BEC greater in HM (5.05 ± 0.49) than in LM (3.52 ± 0.65) animals. Between 35 and 21 d BEC, LM cows gained LDT, whereas HM cows gained BFT. HM cows mobilized more muscle from 21 d BEC to 30 DIM, as reflected by a greater loss of LDT, greater 3-MH concentrations (532 vs. 438 ± 30 ng/mL), and a greater 3-MH:CRE ratio (0.164 vs. 0.131 ± 0.008) in the first three weeks postpartum. The LDT and BFT at 21 d BEC were related to the amount of respective tissue mobilized through 30 DIM (R2 = 0.37 and 0.88, respectively). Although calves born to HM cattle were larger (45.2 vs. 41.8 ± 0.7 kg), HM cows produced less milk (38.8 vs. 41.6 ± 0.8 kg/d) with a tendency towards higher fat content (4.33 vs. 4.05 ± 0.12%), likely related to the mobilization of more backfat from 0 to 60 DIM (1.78 vs. 0.68 ± 0.34 mm), compared to LM cattle. These findings suggest that a cow's metabolic status, as measured by LDT and BFT prepartum, may influence the metabolic strategy the animal uses to meet energy and amino acid requirements in late gestation and early lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the developmental dynamics of ecosystems have been studied in many natural systems, it is unclear if these patterns are to be expected in engineered ecosystems where components have not co-developed over time. Green roofs often begin with a nutrient rich substrate that is paired with slow-growing plants adapted to nutrient poor conditions - perhaps resulting in different developmental dynamics than natural ecosystems. We evaluated changes over time in green roof nutrient content and vegetation communities using a chronosequence in southern Sweden of similarly designed but different aged green roofs spanning between 2 and 22 years. Substrate depth, substrate nitrogen (N), and total N pool sizes varied positively with roof age. These dynamics suggest an accumulation of 2.9 ± 1.1 g N/m2/yr with no indication of leveling off after 22 years. Plant N content (%) positively varied with roof age but plant biomass, plant nutrient pools, and plant diversity did not vary with age. These dynamics indicate a novel developmental scenario where the ecosystem begins with near-stable plant biomass but still accumulates N in the substrate at rates on par with many secondary successional systems. The apparent accumulation of N could not be accounted for by N deposition rates for the region, suggesting substantial N-fixation. The novel developmental dynamics outlined in this study point to the need for a new or expanded ecosystem developmental paradigm that better suits green roofs and perhaps other emerging engineered ecosystems. • Shallow green roofs in this study appear to follow novel developmental trajectories. • Nitrogen content positively varied with green roof age despite steady plant biomass. • Apparent nitrogen accumulations greater than deposition suggest nitrogen fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermogenic adipose tissue activity and secretion decline with ageing. • Type 1 immunity and adipocyte thermogenesis require common energetic substrates. • Thermogenesis forces immunometabolic control toward type 2 immunity. • Limiting thermogenic adipose tissue decline counteracts age-related metabolic diseases. Brown and subcutaneous adipose tissues play a key role in non-shivering thermogenesis both in mice and human, and their activation by adrenergic stimuli promotes energy expenditure, reduces adiposity, and protects against age-related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance characterize T2D. Even though the decline of thermogenic adipose tissues is well-established during ageing, the mechanisms by which this event affects immune system and contributes to the development of T2D is still poorly defined. It is emerging that activation of thermogenic adipose tissues promotes type 2 immunity skewing, limiting type 1 inflammation. Of note, metabolic substrates sustaining type 1 inflammation (e.g. glucose and succinate) are also used by activated adipocytes to promote thermogenesis. Keeping in mind this aspect, a nutrient competition between adipocytes and adipose tissue immune cell infiltrates could be envisaged. Herein, we reviewed the metabolic rewiring of adipocytes during thermogenesis in order to give important insight into the anti-inflammatory role of thermogenic adipose tissues and delineate how their decline during ageing may favor the setting of low-grade inflammatory states that predispose to type 2 diabetes in elderly. A brief description about the contribution of adipokines secreted by thermogenic adipocytes in modulation of immune cell activation is also provided. Finally, we have outlined experimental flow chart procedures and provided technical advices to investigate the physiological processes leading to thermogenic adipose tissue impairment that are behind the immunometabolic decline during aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latter half of the 20th century and the first half of the 21st century will be recognized as the "Golden Age" of Lactation Biology. This period corresponded with the rise of systemic, metabolomic, molecular and genomic biology. It opens with the discovery of the structure of DNA and ends with the sequencing of the complete genomes of humans and all major domestic animal species including the dairy cow. This included the ability to identify polymorphisms in the nucleic acid sequence which can be tied to specific differences in cellular, tissue and animal performance. Prior to this period classic work using endocrine ablation and replacement studies identified the mammary gland as an endocrine dependent organ. In the early 1960s the development of radio-immuno and radio-receptor assays permitted the study of the relationship between endocrine patterns and mammary function. The ability to measure nucleic acid content of tissues opened the door to study of factors regulating mammary growth. The development of high speed centrifugation in the 1960s allowed separation of specific cell organelles and their membranes. The development of transmission and scanning electron microscopy permitted the study of the relationship between structure and function in the mammary secretory cell. The availability of radioactive isotopes opened the doors to the study of metabolic pathways and end products of metabolism. The development of concepts regarding the coordination of metabolism to support lactation integrated our understanding of nutrient partitioning and homeostasis. The ability to produce recombinant molecules and organisms permitted enhancement of lactation in farm animal species and the production of milk containing proteins of value to human medicine. These discoveries and others contributed to a vastly increased dairy farm productivity in the U.S. and world-wide. This review will include the discussion of the thought leaders and laboratories who labored in these fields to produce the harvest of knowledge we enjoy today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Studies in the past decades have focused on how tuber yield of potato grown on different types of soil is affected by phosphate fertilizer rates. However, little is known about the effects of phosphorus availability in the soil and of phosphate fertilization on nutrient uptake and removal by the main potato cultivars currently grown in Brazil. Thus, in this study we investigated the influence of P fertilization rates on dry matter (DM) yield and nutrient uptake and removal in five potato cultivars grown on soils with different levels of P availability. Experiments were conducted on soil with low (14 mg dm-3), medium (36 mg dm-3), and high (70 mg dm-3) P availability, in randomized complete blocks with a 5 × 5 factorial arrangement with four replications. The treatments consisted of five potato cultivars (Agata, Asterix, Atlantic, Markies, and Mondial) and five P rates (0, 125, 250, 500, and 1,000 kg ha-1 P2O5) applied in the planting furrow. In soils with low, medium, and high P availability, P fertilization increased plant growth and tuber DM yield up to rates of 500, 250, and 125 kg ha-1 P2O5, respectively. At a specific initial P availability, all potato cultivars responded to the same P rate for plant growth, tuber yield, and nutrient uptake and removal. At the highest P fertilization rates, leaf analysis showed that the nutritional status of potato plants was not significantly changed and no nutritional deficiency was induced, regardless of the soil P availability levels. However, in the soils with higher P availability, P fertilization decreased plant Mn and Zn and tuber Mn concentrations in a linear manner. The increases in the uptake of N, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, and Fe and the removal of most nutrients in response to P fertilization were related more to the increase in plant biomass and tuber DM yield than to changes in concentrations of these nutrients in the plant. Application of P at high rates in soil with high P availability caused luxury P uptake, which reduced Mn uptake by 10 % and prevented higher Zn uptake, by reducing plant Zn concentrations, despite the increase in plant biomass.