Search Results (495)

Leaf senescence in plants is the last stage of leaf development and is characterized by a decline in photosynthetic activity, an active degeneration of cellular structures, and the recycling of accumulated nutrients to areas of active growth, such as buds, young leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. This process holds economic significance as it can impact yield, influencing the plant’s ability to maintain an active photosynthetic system during prolonged periods, especially during the grain filling stage, which affects plant weight and oil content. It can be associated with different stresses or environmental conditions, manifesting itself widely in the context of climate change and limiting yield, especially in crops of agronomic relevance. In this work, we study the stability of two widely described sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes belonging to the INTA Breeding Program against differential N conditions, to verify their yield stability in control conditions and under N supply. Two inbred lines were utilized, namely R453 (early senescence) and B481-6 (late senescence), with contrasting nitrogen availability in the soil but sharing the same ontogeny cycle length. It was observed that, starting from R5.5, the B481-6 genotype not only delayed senescence but also exhibited a positive response to increased nitrogen availability in the soil. This response included an increase in intercepted radiation, resulting in a statistically significant enhancement in grain yield. Conversely, the R453 genotype did not show significant differences under varying nitrogen availability and exhibited a tendency to decrease grain yield when nitrogen availability was increased. The response to nitrogen can vary depending on the specific genotype. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although physical activity and balanced diet may increase peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration, little is known about whether these factors modify BDNF content in physically active individuals and whether the serum fatty acid (FA) profile is related. This study aimed to evaluate quality of diet, identify specific dietary patterns and assess their influence on BDNF and FA levels in serum. It is hypothesized that there is a correlation between diet quality and the concentrations of BDNF and FA in the serum of physically active male individuals. Methods: Physically active young adult male students at Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw (Poland) were enrolled. Dietary patterns were identified with cluster analysis and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on responses to a validated food frequency questionnaire, KomPAN^® version 1.1. Results: Consumption of beverages, vegetables, milk, wholemeal bread/rolls, fruit and vegetable juices, butter, tinned vegetables and fruits were significant in the LDA model, in which three clusters were distinguished. Cluster 1 was characterized by more frequent consumption of wholemeal bread/rolls, milk, fruits, vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices and sweetened hot beverages and by significantly greater values for the pro-healthy diet index (p < 0.0001) and diet quality index (p < 0.0001) compared to Clusters 2 and 3. The diet of Cluster 2 was of the worst quality, as indicated by the higher values of the not-healthy diet index. Cluster 1 had the tendency for the highest BDNF levels (of the best quality of diet), and a tendency for decreased BDNF concentration with an increased physical activity level was observed. Conclusions: Physical activity, diet quality and BDNF level depend, correlate and interact with each other to provide both optimal physical and mental health. Full article

The goji fruit fly, Neoceratitis asiatica, is a major pest on the well-known medicinal plant Lycium barbarum. Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of the oviposition selection of N. asiatica regarding the host plant will help to identify new strategies for pest fly control. However, the molecular mechanism of chemical communication between the goji fruit fly and the host goji remains unclear. Hence, our study found that young goji fruit volatiles induced the oviposition response of gravid female N. asiatica. After N. asiatica was exposed to young goji fruit volatiles, the expression of six chemosensory genes (NasiOBP56h3 and OBP99a1 in the antennae; OBP99a2, OBP99a3 and CSP2 in the legs; and OBP56a in the ovipositor) was significantly upregulated in different organs of female N. asiatica compared with the group without odor treatment according to transcriptome data. Further results of qPCR verification show that the expression levels of the six selected upregulated genes after the flies were exposed to host plant volatiles were mostly consistent with the results of transcriptome data. We concluded that six upregulated genes may be involved in the recognition of young goji fruit volatiles by gravid female N. asiatica. Our study preliminarily identifies young goji fruit volatiles as a key factor in the oviposition behavior of N. asiatica, which will facilitate further studies on the mechanisms of host oviposition selection in N. asiatica. Full article

Fruit mousses, as low-processed products, are highly susceptible to external conditions, and storage leads to the degradation of bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds and vitamins, as well as promoting the growth of yeasts and molds. This study investigated the impact of storage conditions on the microbiological quality and degradation of selected bioactive compounds in fruit mousses from various producers (from apples, pears, and multi-components). Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents, vitamin C level, antioxidant capacity (AC, measured by the DPPH assay), and concentrations of macro- and microminerals were evaluated in fresh mousses and those stored for 48 h at 23 °C and 4 °C. Changes in total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB), yeast and mold counts, and selected microbial groups were also checked. It was found that the analyzed compounds varied depending on the components of the mousses. Multi-component mousses contained the highest levels of TPC, TFC, and vitamin C, and had 2–5 times higher AC values compared to apple and pear mousses. Storage at room temperature resulted in TFC lowering of up to 25% in apple mousses and vitamin C reductions of up to 22% in multi-component mousses. During refrigerated storage, the highest losses were observed in pear mousses, with TPC decreasing by up to 13% and vitamin C by up to 11%. Among the minerals, magnesium and zinc levels decreased most significantly in apple mousses stored at 23 °C (up to 33% and up to 29%, respectively). Microbiological analysis revealed variability in TAMB, yeast, and mold counts, with refrigeration (4 °C) generally limiting microbial growth compared to room temperature (23 °C). Notably, no pathogenic bacteria were detected under any storage conditions, and the mousses retained a high microbiological quality even after room-temperature storage. Full article

This experiment was conducted at the Fruit Research Institute, MAREM, Eğirdir-Isparta, Turkey, to detect the effects of different glycine betaine doses in drought stress conditions on young pear trees in 2019. The pear trees used in the study were one-year-old Deveci (Pyrus Comminus L.) variety grafted onto OHxF 333 rootstock. There were three different irrigation treatments in the experiment. Treatments were I₁₀₀ treatment—available soil water reached field capacity for each irrigation, 100% (control); I₅₀ treatment—irrigated with 50% of the water used in the I₁₀₀ treatment (50% water deficit, moderate stress); I₂₅ treatment—irrigated with 25% of the water used in the I₁₀₀ treatment (75% water deficit, severe stress). Four different GB doses were used: GB₀: 0, control; GB₁: 1 mg L⁻¹; GB₅: 5 mg L⁻¹; and GB₁₀: 10 mg L⁻¹. GB was not applied to pear trees in the I₁₀₀ treatment. That is, there were nine different treatments in this study. GB applications provided a 19% increase in Pn of both the I₂₅ and I₅₀ treatments. According to the results of g_sw, g_sw increased between 18.0% and 27.8% for GB₅₀ and GB₂₅ treatments, respectively. In total, 10.9% and 14.8% increasing rates in shoot length were detected in GB₁₀ applications in both the 50% and 75% water deficit treatments. The highest trunk diameter and fresh root weight results were determined in 10 mg L⁻¹ GB dose applications under 50% water deficit conditions (I₅₀GB₁₀). Full article

Background/Objectives: Eating habits and behaviors play a central role in maintaining health and overall well-being. In the case of young students, they affect not only appearance and general mood but also cognitive ability, concentration, and broader learning ability. For this reason, it is essential for young people to have well-balanced and wholesome diets. Methods: The study included 186 Polish and 136 Greek university students majoring in sports. The research tool was the validated survey questionnaire FFQ-6, and the data collected were additionally used to calculate the healthy diet index (pHDI-10). Results: Based on the analysis of the collected data, the dietary habits of the students surveyed were assessed, taking into account, among other things, the frequency of consumption of sweets, salty snacks, processed foods, and sweetened drinks, but also healthy products, including vegetables and fruit or vegetable and fruit juices. The data collected made it possible to determine an index of the health value of the participants’ diet. Conclusions: The analysis of the collected data led to the conclusion that, more often than their Greek peers, Polish university students tend to reach for sweets, salty snacks, or sweetened drinks. Greeks were more likely to choose fruit and vegetables and vegetable and fruit juices. However, among both Poles and Greeks, the index of the health-promoting value of the diet is low, indicating a high risk of diet-related diseases of lifestyle. Similar trends can be observed among students of almost all nationalities, which makes it reasonable to consider the implementation of appropriate educational programs on nutrition and healthy lifestyle principles in general. Full article

Olea europaea, native to the Mediterranean region, has been widely cultivated for the nutritional content of its fruits and leaves. To adapt to climates beyond the Mediterranean, research on the climatic adaptation of O. europaea is urgently needed. Therefore, in this study, the CBF/DREB1 family genes in olives, which are related to cold tolerance, were genome-wide characterized. In total, four OeCBFs were screened; their open reading frame (ORF) were 552~684 bp in length, the encoded proteins were 20,786.60~25,235.16 Da, with 183~227 amino acids, and the theoretical isoelectric point (pI) were 4.91~9.13. The transcription of four OeCBFs was significantly different in olive tissues, especially OeCBF2 and OeCBF4, which were substantially more highly-expressed in aboveground tissues (terminal buds, young leaves, old leaves, and stems) than in underground tissues (thick and fine roots). Exposed to cold stress, OeCBF2 and OeCBF4 were up-regulated more obviously in olive leaves and stems, while OeCBF3 was induced to higher levels in the roots, implying the adaptation potential of the OeCBFs to low temperature stress. A comparison of the expression of the four OeCBFs in two varieties, Picholine (more tolerant to the other one) and Arbequina, found that the expression of OeCBFs was higher in most tissues of Picholine than that of Arbequina. When exposed to cold stress, the expression of the OeCBFs was also higher in the leaves and roots of Picholine than in Arbequina, further confirming the correlation between OeCBFs and cold tolerance of olive trees. This study not only deepens our understanding of the CBF gene family in olives, but also provides significant genetic information for olive breeding and improvement. Full article

Background/Objectives: Twenty-four-hour movement behaviors, including physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep, are associated with a range of health outcomes. However, the relationship between the combinations of these behaviors and dietary outcomes in young populations remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review to explore how combined movement behaviors are linked to dietary outcomes in children and adolescents. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO from January 2017 to July 2024, including studies that were (1) written in English, (2) published in peer-reviewed journals, (3) quantitatively analyzed two or three movement behaviors with dietary outcomes, and (4) focused on populations aged between 0 and 18 years. Results: Ten cross-sectional studies met these criteria. The majority of studies (6 out of 10) assessed all three movement behaviors, although sleep was less frequently examined, appearing in only 4 of the studies. Our findings indicated that adhering to all movement recommendations was consistently associated with healthier dietary patterns, including a higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and cereals, and a lower intake of sweets and pastries. Additionally, adhering to physical activity and sedentary time guidelines was linked to improved dietary habits in children, including more fruit and vegetable intake and less sugary drink and snack consumption. Conversely, higher sedentary time and inadequate sleep were linked to poorer dietary outcomes, particularly lower fruit intake and hydration. Conclusions: This review suggests that meeting movement behavior guidelines correlates with healthier dietary outcomes in children and adolescents. However, given the limited number of studies and their cross-sectional design, further high-quality research, including longitudinal and intervention studies, is needed to clarify causal relationships. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the dietary patterns, health behaviors, and related determinants among young people in Poland, amid increasing lifestyle-related health concerns like obesity and poor nutrition. Understanding the factors influencing these behaviors is crucial for crafting effective public health strategies. The objective was to analyze young Poles’ eating habits, their perceptions of health, and the role of various determinants in shaping these behaviors. Methods: A survey was conducted among a representative sample of young Poles, gathering data on eating habits, health perceptions, and lifestyle choices. The survey focused on the respondents’ understanding of healthy eating, sources of nutrition knowledge, and the influence of family, social media, and public health campaigns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and correlations between health behaviors and socio-demographic factors were examined. Results: The study revealed that 88% of young respondents prioritize health, with 73% acknowledging a link between nutrition and health. While most participants accurately described healthy eating and reported adherence to dietary guidelines, 43% engaged in emotional eating, which often led to compulsive behaviors associated with obesity. Social media, internet articles, and family were primary sources of nutrition knowledge. Despite their knowledge, fruit and vegetable consumption was below recommended levels, and physical activity levels were insufficient in nearly half of the respondents. Only 36% regularly read food labels, with many choosing products containing additives. Appearance-related stress was prevalent among 52% of respondents, while sleep deficits and lack of sufficient physical activity were common. Conclusions: The findings suggest that while young Poles possess a high level of awareness regarding healthy eating, gaps remain in the application of this knowledge, particularly concerning emotional eating and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Public health campaigns should be more effectively targeted to address these gaps and promote sustainable health behaviors from early childhood. Addressing emotional eating, enhancing physical activity, and improving nutrition education through effective channels like social media are key to improving public health outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices directly affect child health, development, and survival, especially under 2 years of age and ultimately affect adult life well-being. As the primary caregivers of the children, mothers with higher health literacy may better perceive the benefits of optimal complementary feeding practices, leading to improved health outcomes for their children. In this study, we aimed to assess complementary feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Turkey according to 2021 World Health Organization IYCF indicators [minimum dietary diversity (MDD); minimum meal frequency (MMF); minimum acceptable diet (MAD); egg and/or flesh food consumption (EFF); sweet beverage consumption (SwB); unhealthy food consumption (UFC); zero vegetable or fruit consumption (ZVF); and bottle feeding (BoF)] and investigate their associations with sociodemographic characteristics and mothers’ health literacy. Methods: With a descriptive study design, we reached 572 mothers of children aged 6–23 months from five regions of Turkey. We used the Turkey Health Literacy Scale-32 (TSOY-32) to assess mothers’ health literacy. Results: While maternal and child age are significantly associated with more complementary feeding practices, specifically MDD, MAD, and EFF, having multiple children has negative impacts on several complementary feeding indicators, including MDD, MMF, MAD, UFC, and ZVF. The only indicator associated with mothers’ TSOY-32 scores was zero fruit and vegetable consumption. Conclusion: Raising awareness among mothers about the importance of complementary feeding practices and identification of vulnerable groups will guide practitioners and policymakers to improve child health and nutrition. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate whether different citrus peel powders (orange, mandarin, and lemon) could be incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA), for the preparation and characterization of biodegradable films made of this fruit waste. In particular, films were prepared by the solvent casting method and tested in terms of physicochemical and biochemical parameters, along with mechanical properties. Furthermore, the citrus peel powders were tested for their physicochemical and biochemical properties after ethanolic extraction. The results showed that the addition of citrus powders into PLA proved to be efficient compared to the control films (PLA). The citrus peel-based films showed high antioxidant capacity (38.37%–32.54%), a considerable total phenolic content (17.2–12.58 mg GAE/L), good lightness (L*: 42.83–41.93), elastic Young’s modulus (257.95–175.38 MPa), oxygen transmission rate (976.5 mL m⁻² day⁻¹–1218 mL m⁻² day⁻¹), elongation at break (183.06%–135.95%), and tensile strength (6.15–4.56 MPa), which were affected significantly (p < 0.05) by the botanical origin of citrus peel. Concerning the citrus peel extracts, the highest values in antioxidant capacity (52.56%), total phenolic content (724.8 mg GAE/L), and titratable acidity (714.67 mg of citric acid/L) were recorded in the extract of lemon peel powders. The corresponding values for orange peel powder extracts were 39.43%, 563.8 mg GAE/L, and 576 mg of citric acid/L, while those for mandarin were 33.01%, 558.46 mg GAE/L, and 54.67 mg of citric acid/L. The application of multivariate analysis of variance and linear discriminant analysis on the mechanical properties, physicochemical, and biochemical data resulted in the differentiation of pure PLA and PLA-based films fabricated with citrus peel powder. From the above findings, it is concluded that citrus peel powders are sources of phytochemicals and can be used for the preparation of PLA-based films for potential applications in food preservation. Full article

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) feeds on the young tissues of plants, causing wilting and deformity of leaves as well as damage to flowers and fruits, thereby seriously affecting plant yield. Due to its small size and difficulty of control, the species is one of the most important pests in the legume family. To clarify the occurrence and damage pattern of M. usitatus on field crops, a study was conducted using eight different crops as experimental materials, and an age-stage, two-sex life table was constructed. The population density of M. usitatus was the highest on cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), followed by green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Vigna cylindrica (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc.) in terms of net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of increase. In terms of reproductive capacity, cowpeas and V. cylindrica were more suitable for M. usitatus growth and reproduction, followed by green beans. M. usitatus could develop into adults on courgettes (Cucurbita pepo L.), wax gourds (Benincasa hispida Thunb. Cogn.), Momordica charantia (Momordica charantia L.), and soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) but had difficulty reproducing on those plants. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was the least suitable for the survival of M. usitatus. Population parameter analysis showed that the cowpea was the most suitable host plant for M. usitatus, followed by green beans and V. cylindrica. M. usitatus had difficulty reproducing on courgette, wax gourd, M. charantia, and soybeans, and feeding on cucumbers inhibited M. usitatus development and reproduction. Full article

The chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) is gaining importance in the mountainous regions of southern Europe due to the high value of its fruits. It is essential to establish effective cultivation protocols, considering that this species is still relatively understudied. In this study, we present the outcomes of the initial establishment of a chestnut orchard conducted through a nutrient omission trial for four years. The treatments included a fertilization plan with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and boron (NPKB), the control, and four other treatments corresponding to the omission of each nutrient (-NPKB, N-PKB, NP-KB, NPK-B). The -NPKB and NP-KB treatments showed significantly lower trunk circumferences and canopy volumes compared to the other treatments. The NPK-B treatment resulted in the lowest fruit production, with a total accumulated yield (2020–2022) of 0.56 kg tree^–1, a value significantly lower than that of NPKB (1.12 kg tree^–1) and N-PKB (1.19 kg tree^–1). The assessment of nutrient concentrations in the leaves revealed plants with deficient levels of B and K in treatments that did not receive these nutrients. Conversely, N levels in the leaves in the -NPKB treatment fell within the sufficiency range (20 to 28 g kg^–1). This suggests that the sufficiency range should be adjusted to higher values, given the treatment’s effect on tree growth. It was also observed that the -NPKB treatment led to lower soil organic matter compared to the other treatments, likely due to reduced herbaceous vegetation development under the canopy, leading to decreased organic substrate deposition in the soil. The main findings of this study are that N and K were crucial elements for the optimal growth of chestnut trees, while B played a significant role in fruit production. Full article

This study investigates the effect of prolonged maceration, pre-fermentation heating, and barrel aging on the volatile aroma profile and sensory characteristics of Teran wine. The vinification processes included a control treatment (7-day maceration, TM7-Y; Y—young wine), 10-day maceration (TM10-Y), 21-day post-fermentation maceration (TM21-Y), and 48-h pre-fermentation heating at 45 °C followed by 8-day maceration (TPHT-Y). All wines were then aged in oak barrels for six months, resulting in TM7-A, TM10-A, TM21-A, and TPHT-A wines (A—aged wine). Volatile compounds were extracted using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), while sensory profiles were evaluated using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA). TPHT-Y and TM21-Y treatments reduced several groups of free volatile compounds while enhancing sensory properties, with TM21-Y wines notably exhibiting pronounced dried fruit notes, likely due to high β-damascenone concentrations. Conversely, TM10-Y and TM7-Y treatments resulted in significantly higher concentrations of the most volatile aroma compounds. Aging in oak barrels significantly increased the levels of particular free volatile compounds like C₁₃-norisoprenoids, volatile phenols, furans, and lactones. It also enhanced sensory quality, with fruity aromas prominent across all treatments, and TM21-A and TPHT-A wines showing strong dried fruit, jam, and liqueur notes. This study offers valuable insights into tailoring wine aromas and sensory attributes through specific vinification techniques, contributing to a more refined approach to optimizing wine production. In conclusion, the findings highlight the importance of maceration and aging techniques in developing complex and desirable wine profiles, offering practical guidance for improving Teran wine quality. Full article

Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) possesses medicinal, economic, and ecological significance and is extensively used for feed production, papermaking, and ecological restoration due to its ease of propagation, rapid growth rate, and strong stress resistance. The recent completion of the sequencing of the Paper Mulberry genome has prompted further research into the genetic breeding and molecular biology of this important species. A highly stable reference gene is essential to enhance the quantitative analysis of functional genes in Paper Mulberry; however, none has been identified. Accordingly, in this study, the leaves, stems, roots, petioles, young fruits, and mature fruits of Paper Mulberry plants were selected as experimental materials, and nine candidate reference genes, namely, α-TUB1, α-TUB2, β-TUB, H2A, ACT, DnaJ, UBQ, CDC2, and TIP41, were identified by RT-qPCR. Their stability was assessed using the geNorm, Normfinder, Delta Ct, BestKeeper, and RefFinder algorithms, identifying ACT and UBQ as showing the greatest stability. The expression of BpMYB090, which regulates the production of trichomes, was examined in the leaves of plants of the wild type (which have more trichomes) and mutant (which have fewer trichomes) at various developmental stages to validate the results of this study. As a result, their identification addresses a critical gap in the field of Paper Mulberry research, providing a solid foundation for future research that will concentrate on the characterization of pertinent functional genes in this economically valuable species. Full article