Search Results (2,671)

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are essential macronutrients for plant growth and major pollutants driving aquatic eutrophication. Microalgae represent a sustainable biological platform for nutrient recovery and circular utilization from wastewater; however, the molecular mechanisms governing efficient urea assimilation and its coordination with phosphorus uptake remain inadequately characterized. This study investigated how overexpression of the high-affinity urea transporter gene DUR3 enhances nutrient scavenging capacity in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The DUR3-overexpressing line exhibited concentration-dependent growth responses to urea, showing significant promotion at low-to-moderate levels but inhibition at high urea concentration or under pure-urea conditions, where DUR3-overexpressing (DUR3-OE) was more severely inhibited than the wild-type (WT). Notably, the DUR3-OE consistently increased chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) under ammonium, urea, and mixed-N regimes. Under low-urea conditions, the total P content of the DUR3-OE was 8.8% higher and total N content was 4.3% higher than in WT (p < 0.05). Except in pure-urea medium, the engineered strains exhibited significantly increased total P accumulation and superior P recovery efficiency from the culture medium. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that DUR3 overexpression reprograms a coordinated regulatory network associated with N/P metabolism, photosynthesis, and carbon transport pathways. RT-qPCR validation confirmed significant upregulation of PMA2 (plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase), phosphate transporters (PTB3, PTB7), the inorganic carbon transporter HLA3, and photosynthesis-related genes, which was associated with improved nutrient assimilation and photosynthetic performance. These findings establish DUR3 as a key genetic target for engineering microalgae with optimized N-P co-uptake capacity, providing a robust molecular framework for developing high-efficiency algal strains for wastewater bioremediation and nutrient circular economy applications. Full article

Tortillas are an essential food staple in the Mexican diet due to their nutritional value. Blue corn tortillas have been reported as a source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Likewise, the blue corn tortillas have been studied to enhance the nutritional and nutraceutical composition. In this sense, Quelites are a large family of plants with macronutrient and micronutrient content, as well as a source of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Among these, Amaranthus hybridus L. could fortify the blue corn tortilla composition. Therefore, this study aims to fortify blue corn tortillas with different concentrations of Quelites flours. The total flavonoid and phenolic compounds content, as well as the antioxidant capacity and identification of phenolic compounds, were evaluated on tortillas fortified with Quelites. The addition of Quelites to blue corn tortillas reduced the lipid and protein content, carbohydrate, and flavonoid content, and enhance the antioxidant capacity of tortillas as measured by FRAP, ORAC, and TEAC assays. Also, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid were identified on blue corn tortillas fortified with Quelites. These results support the use of A. hybridus L. as an ingredient to improve the nutrient and nutraceutical composition of foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Internalized weight bias has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes and maladaptive eating-related behaviors. However, its relationship with habitual dietary intake and overall diet quality remains insufficiently explored. The objective of this study was to examine associations between internalized weight bias and habitual energy intake, macronutrient composition, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet among adults with a history of overweight or obesity. Methods: In this web-based cross-sectional study, 484 adults with a history of excess body mass index completed validated assessments of internalized weight bias (Weight Bias Internalization Scale–Modified; WBIS-M) and usual dietary intake (69-item Food Frequency Questionnaire). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) was assessed via the MedDietScore. Multivariable analyses adjusted for several covariates were performed. Results: Higher levels of internalized weight bias were associated with lower adherence to the MeDi (B_adj = −0.670, p = 0.025). Higher adherence to the MeDi was associated with reduced odds of being classified in the medium or the highest WBIS-M tertile, corresponding to an approximately 5% reduction per 1-unit increment in the MedDietScore. No associations were observed between internalized weight bias and total energy intake. At the macronutrient level, higher internalized weight bias was associated with higher saturated fat intake, independent of total energy intake. Conclusions: Internalized weight bias was associated with poorer habitual diet quality and unfavorable macronutrient profiles, independent of total energy intake. These findings suggest that internalized weight bias relates to qualitative differences in habitual food choices, highlighting the potential importance of addressing weight bias in efforts to improve diet quality among adults with overweight or obesity. Full article

The automatic detection of foliar nutritional deficiencies through computer vision represents a promising alternative within precision agriculture practices, reducing dependence on laboratory analyses and the subjectivity associated with visual inspection. This systematic review maps and compares the application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques to nutritional diagnosis across different crops, highlighting methodological trends, barriers to model adoption under field conditions, and existing research gaps. Following the PRISMA guidelines (PRISMA-P and PRISMA-2020), searches were conducted in the Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science databases, using a defined time frame and explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 200 articles included (2012–2026; last search on 2 February 2026). The results indicate a predominance of DL-based approaches and RGB imagery, with applications concentrated in crops such as rice and in macronutrients, mainly nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), and report a marked increase in publications from 2020 onward. Although many studies report high performance, the evidence is largely derived from controlled environments and proprietary datasets, which limit model comparability, reproducibility, and generalization to real-world scenarios. Accordingly, the main research gaps include limited validation under field conditions, identified as the primary practical barrier; the underrepresentation of micronutrients and multiple-deficiency diagnosis; and the need for lightweight architectures suitable for deployment in mobile and edge-computing applications. It is concluded that ML and DL techniques offer promising alternatives for automated nutritional diagnosis; however, advances in data standardization, open-access datasets, and validation under real field conditions are essential for consolidating these technologies in practical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Kidneys from marginal donors are more susceptible to ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). To diminish the deleterious effects of IRI, mitochondria should be preserved optimally between donation and transplantation. It is unknown which macronutrients are imperative to support mitochondrial function during normothermic preservation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different macronutrient compositions on mitochondrial function during prolonged normothermic incubation of precision-cut kidney slices. Methods: Both porcine (n = 8) and human (n = 5) kidneys were studied. After warm ischemia and cold preservation, precision-cut kidney slices (PCKS) were made and incubated in different incubation media under normothermic conditions. PCKS were incubated with all different combinations of glucose, glutamine and/or fatty acids. At zero, 24 and 48 h, mitochondrial function and metabolite levels were assessed. Results: After 48 h of incubation, ATP levels were significantly higher with glucose and glutamine or fatty acids and glutamine, compared to incubation without nutrients (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Also, mitochondrial oxygen fluxes were higher with all nutrients compared to no nutrients (ADP stimulated basal respiration p = 0.040; proton leak p = 0.001 and maximal respiration p = 0.039). Conclusions: The addition of multiple macronutrients during prolonged normothermic incubation increases the mitochondrial function of PCKS. These data pave the way for optimising the nutritional support for ex vivo perfusion of marginal kidneys. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and a major limiting factor for crop productivity, especially in tropical soils characterized by low P availability and high fixation capacity. The strong dependence of modern agriculture on non-renewable phosphate fertilizers, combined with their low use efficiency, raises economic and environmental concerns and reinforces the need to improve phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) in maize. PUE is a complex trait governed by integrated morphophysiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms related to phosphorus acquisition, internal remobilization, metabolic reprogramming, and root system plasticity. Recent advances using omics-based approaches have substantially expanded the understanding of these mechanisms, revealing coordinated regulation of carbon and energy metabolism, phosphatase activity, redox balance, and root meristem dynamics under P-limiting conditions. In parallel, increasing evidence demonstrates the important role of phosphate-solubilizing and plant growth-promoting bacteria in enhancing P availability through organic acid secretion, enzymatic mineralization of organic P forms, and modulation of root architecture. However, despite these advances, the genetic basis of plant responsiveness to beneficial bacteria and the interaction between host genotype and microbial activity remain poorly explored. This review integrates current knowledge on phosphorus dynamics in the soil–plant system, the genetic control of PUE in maize, and the contribution of beneficial bacteria, highlighting the importance of combining classical breeding, molecular approaches, and microbial strategies to accelerate the development of maize cultivars with improved phosphorus efficiency and reduced fertilizer dependency. Full article

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a life-sustaining therapy essential for patients who are unable to meet their nutritional needs enterally. However, individualized PN formulations impose substantial economic burdens on healthcare systems. This study aims to quantify the cost of individualized PN bags across different patient populations and identify key cost drivers to inform cost-effective clinical practice and policy development. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, analyzing 900 unique patient-specific PN orders between February 2023 and August 2023. Patients were stratified into three groups: adults (≥18 years), pediatrics (1 month to 17 years), and neonates (<1 month), with 300 unique patients per group. The cost assessment included macronutrients, micronutrients, consumables, equipment, and personnel time, all measured using a standardized work sampling methodology. Descriptive statistics characterized demographic and clinical profiles. One-way ANOVA was used to compare costs across groups, and multivariate linear regression identified significant cost predictors, with log-transformation applied to address the skewness in the cost data. Results: Mean cost per PN bag varied significantly among patient groups (ANOVA, p < 0.001): adults 517.1 ± 274 SAR, pediatrics 383.2 ± 86.75 SAR, and neonates 243.14 ± 98 SAR. We found that PN volume, lipid dose, and the number of additives were the primary modifiable drivers of PN cost. Multivariate regression analysis identified PN volume (β = 0.182, p < 0.001), lipid dose (β = 0.145, p = 0.002), and number of additives (β = 0.098, p = 0.028) as significant predictors of cost, explaining 91.2% of the cost variance (R² = 0.912). Consumables contributed 18–22% of total costs across groups. Pediatric patients demonstrated markedly longer therapy duration (median 98 days, IQR 65–142) compared to adults (median 18 days, IQR 8–35) and neonates (median 24 days, IQR 12–42). Conclusions: This study provides the first stratified, real-world cost benchmarks for individualized PN in a Saudi tertiary-care setting and quantifies actionable cost drivers. Actionable implications include standardizing stable-patient procedures, implementing pharmacist-led appropriateness screening, and earlier transition to enteral nutrition to reduce costs while maintaining quality of care. Future research should evaluate the cost-effectiveness of standardized versus individualized formulations and investigate the relationship between cost variations and clinical outcomes. Full article

Magnesium is an essential macronutrient for both plants and humans. However, its availability in agricultural systems and dietary intake has been declining, raising concerns about crop productivity and nutritional security. In plants, magnesium plays a critical role in photosynthesis, enzyme activation, carbohydrate transport, and overall metabolic regulation, while in humans it is required for numerous biochemical processes related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular function, and disease prevention. Long-term studies have reported a 20–30% decrease in magnesium concentrations in fruits and vegetables worldwide, potentially contributing to widespread magnesium deficiency. Soil factors such as acidification, nutrient imbalance, and intensive agricultural practices further limit magnesium availability along the soil–plant–human continuum. This review summarizes the biological importance of magnesium in plants and humans, evaluates the occurrence and causes of magnesium deficiency, and discusses current strategies for improving magnesium nutrition through agronomic and genetic biofortification. It considers even fertilizer management, nano-fertilizers, and alternative magnesium sources such as serpentinite. The review highlights biofortification as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to enhance crop magnesium concentration and mitigate global magnesium deficiency while emphasizing the need for further research on bioavailability, environmental safety, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Full article

Efficient nutrient management is essential for enhancing flax productivity under semi-arid conditions. A two-year field experiment (2024–2025) was conducted in southeast Kazakhstan to evaluate the effects of integrated foliar fertilization with macro- and micronutrients and biofertilizers on the growth, seed quality, and yield of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with five treatments: T1 (control, absolute zero fertilization (N₀P₀K₀), i.e., soil without any additional nutrient applications), T2 (N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀), T3 (N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ + foliar macro–micronutrients), T4 (biofertilizer), and T5 (N₆₀P₆₀K₆₀ + foliar macro–micronutrients + biofertilizer). Integrated foliar fertilization significantly increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations in vegetative biomass and seeds, leading to higher nutrient uptake and improved nutrient use efficiency compared with mineral fertilization alone. Treatments combining foliar macro- and micronutrients with biofertilizers (T3 and T5) enhanced plant establishment, biomass accumulation, and dry matter allocation to reproductive organs. Seed yield increased from 0.58 to 0.89 t ha⁻¹, while protein and oil contents ranged from 27.0 to 28.4% and 39.8–41.8%, respectively. The combined foliar treatment showed the highest and most stable performance, likely due to improved nutrient uptake and plant growth. These findings indicate that integrated foliar fertilization is an effective and sustainable strategy for improving flax yield stability, nutrient efficiency, and seed quality under semi-arid conditions. Full article

Objective: Individuals with reactive hypoglycemia (RH) may be more likely to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes, but the ability to identify RH has been hampered by the lack of clear criteria. This study used calculus-based curve parameters from a mixed macronutrient liquid meal test (MMTT) to define RH in men and women with obesity. Methods: A total of 69 non-diabetic adults aged 35 ± 8.3 years with obesity (BMI 32.3 ± 4.2 kg/m²) underwent a 4 h MMTT to define RH, and an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) to characterize RH (via insulin sensitivity, the acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg), insulin clearance, and the disposition index). Perceived hunger and fullness were assessed by visual analog scale. Results: RH was defined using curve properties of the MMTT. A total of 19 of the 69 participants had a reactive hypoglycemic response to the MMTT. Glucose AUC and nadir were lower, timing of glucose nadir was earlier, and insulin sensitivity was higher in RH compared to non-RH. Sex (female) and race (AA) were significant predictors of RH presence. Conclusions: Among individuals with obesity, RH is characterized by greater sensitivity to insulin and greater disposition index. We introduce a novel and reproducible method to define RH using curve-based criteria from a mixed meal test integrated with gold-standard IVGTT-derived outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and prediabetes are overlapping global epidemics. This systematic review synthesises evidence on gene-diet interactions in adults with obesity, prediabetes, or related cardiometabolic risks. It evaluates Mediterranean and DASH dietary patterns, macronutrient quality, and energy restriction across both single-variant and polygenic score approaches. Methods: PubMed was searched for English language papers published in the last 5 years (last run: 31 October 2025). Fewer than 200 studies were retained after excluding those lacking explicit statistical testing for gene-diet interactions or relevant endpoints. Results: Evidence supports restricting saturated fat and preserving carbohydrate quality as general baseline targets, with associations heterogeneous by genotype. Effect modification was observed: healthy dietary patterns were associated with lower risk in high polygenic-risk strata (OR~0.53) but little or no benefit in low-risk groups. TCF7L2 variants were associated with macronutrient thresholds (e.g., protein > 18%, carbohydrate < 48%) affecting visceral adiposity, while APOA2 variants showed genotype-dependent inflammation, including paradoxical increases in markers with higher dietary antioxidant capacity. Interpretation was limited by underpowered interaction tests, multiplicity, and uneven ancestry representation (e.g., unique SLC16A11 and CREBRF signals). Conclusions: While anti-inflammatory dietary substitutions improve biomarkers irrespective of some variants (e.g., TCF7L2), genotype-informed nutrition appears to yield the largest absolute risk reduction in high-risk populations. Clinical implementation should therefore combine baseline diet-quality guidance with targeted strategies for genotype-specific response patterns (e.g., APOA2 antioxidant heterogeneity and TCF7L2 carbohydrate thresholds), rather than rely on uniform recommendations alone. Future progress requires preregistered, genotype-stratified trials and locally trained polygenic scores to address ancestry-specific genetic architecture. Full article

Background/Objectives: It is often reported in the literature that the prevalence of obesity is high in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS). This study aims to assess how lifestyle factors—diet quality, nutrient intake or physical activity—contribute to weight gain. Methods: 230 males/females with DS, aged 12–45 years, were recruited across three geographically independent sites. A total of 185 participants were considered for this analysis and classified into normal-weight, overweight, and obese categories. Diet quality and nutrient intake were calculated using country-specific FFQs. Physical activity was assessed with the Minnesota Leisure Time Activity Questionnaire. Body composition measures were obtained with a bioimpedance scale. Results: The study corroborates a higher prevalence (%) of overweight/obesity in our DS cohort compared to the general population. Higher BMIs were significantly correlated with older age (p < 0.001), lower physical activity (p < 0.05), higher parental BMIs (p < 0.001, mother’s BMI; p < 0.05, father’s BMI), and increased adiposity indicators. Excess body weight showed an inverse association only with protein intake (p < 0.001). No significant differences emerged in total caloric or other macronutrients intake across BMI categories. However, notable differences in dietary patterns were observed among the three countries, reflecting cultural influences. A smaller exploratory sub-study suggested a potential relationship between higher IQ scores and better diet quality (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into contributors to overweight/obesity in DS people, indicating an influence of age, physical activity, familial factors, and body composition. Higher protein intake and culturally adapted lifestyle interventions may contribute to improving weight-related outcomes. Full article

Milk is a highly nutritious food and a cornerstone of the human diet, supplying not only essential macronutrients but also a wide range of bioactive compounds with important functional and health-promoting properties. This study presents the first comparative analysis of ruminant (cow, goat, sheep) and equine (mare, jenny) milk samples collected in Serbia, with emphasis on their physicochemical properties, protein profile, redox characteristics, and nutritional potential. Ruminant milk had significantly higher protein concentrations, with cow and sheep milk containing the highest levels of protein. Two equine milks demonstrated a distinctive whey-to-casein protein ratio to ruminants, and a higher content of active sulfhydryl groups, correlating with improved digestibility and functional properties. Antioxidant potential was determined using spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods, confirming superior redox potential in mare’s milk, followed by jenny’s and sheep’s milk. Nutritional properties of milk separated by Principal Component Analysis highlighted species-specific profiles of equine milks as a promising alternative for individuals with an allergy to cow’s milk protein, offering enhanced antioxidant protection, bioactive compounds, and digestibility. These results support the potential of equine milk as a functional food with added value in human nutrition. Full article

Nitrogen (N) is a key macronutrient that influences the uptake and partitioning of other essential elements in plants. In this research, we evaluated the effect of different N concentrations in the nutrient solution (0, 4.2, 8.4, and 12.6 mg L⁻¹) during the flowering stage on the concentration and accumulation of macronutrients in organs of Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) ‘Inca’. After 40 days of treatment, plants were separated into leaves, flowers, stems, and roots to determine the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, as well as their accumulation based on dry biomass. Nitrogen supply significantly affected dry biomass production and its partitioning among organs, promoting biomass allocation to leaves and flowers while reducing relative root biomass at higher N concentrations. Nitrogen concentrations and accumulation increased in leaves, stems, and flowers as N supply increased, whereas an inverse relationship was observed in roots. When applying 8.4 and 12.6 mg N L⁻¹, phosphorus displayed enhanced concentrations in leaves and stems, although root tissues did not change the concentration of this nutrient. When N was supplied at up to 8.4 mg L⁻¹, the concentration of potassium rose in aboveground organs but decreased at the highest dose, while its accumulation in roots was reduced under high N concentrations tested. Calcium exhibited greater accumulation in the aboveground organs, particularly at 12.6 mg N L⁻¹. Magnesium concentration and accumulation increased in aboveground organs with increasing N supply, whereas its accumulation in roots decreased. The highest concentrations of sulfur in leaves and stems were observed at 8.4 mg N L⁻¹, and its accumulation in the aboveground organs tended to stabilize at the highest dose. Effect size analysis (partial ηp²) revealed that N supply explained a large proportion of the variance in macronutrient concentration and accumulation in aerial organs, whereas responses in roots were generally weaker and nutrient specific. Overall, our data indicate that intermediate N levels (8.4 mg L⁻¹) boost a more efficient nutritional balance in the aboveground organs, while the highest dose predominantly enhances Ca and Mg accumulation. Understanding how these plants respond to nitrogen can help improve the quality of Mexican marigold crops and make better use of fertilizers. Full article

Marine fish are a good dietary source of important macro- and micronutrients. In addition to fresh fish, fish with varying degrees of industrial processing—frozen, marinated, smoked, canned, etc.—is used extensively in the food market. This study comprehensively characterizes the protein content, fat content, and fatty acid composition of various commercially available canned marine fish species. All canned fish muscle and cod liver were in salted brine, to eliminate the influence of other ingredients. All samples obtained from muscle had a relatively high protein content, mostly between 15 and 21 g/100 g. The fat content was highly variable, ranging from a few tenths to 15 g/100 g. Of the fatty acids, PUFAs predominated in almost all samples. The fatty acid composition of canned fish was very similar to the fatty acid composition of fresh fish. The fact that the content of highly oxylabile PUFAs practically did not differ compared to fresh fish indicates that the preservation process does not lead to significant oxidative damage to this type of product. A significant benefit of eating marine fish is the intake of highly unsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA of the omega-3 fatty acid series. Mainly mackerel and sardines are an excellent source of these two acids. Atlantic salmon and sockeye salmon are also very good sources. As a result, consuming an average of 3 g of cod liver, 10 g of mackerel, 15 g of sardines, or 30 g of Atlantic and sockeye salmon is sufficient to ensure the recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA. Full article