Nutrient requirements determined by grain yield and protein content to optimize N, P, and K fertilizer management in China.

Nutrient requirement for crop growth, defined as the amount of nutrient that crops take up from soil to produce a specific grain yield, is a key parameter in determining fertilizer application rate. However, existing studies primarily focus on identifying nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) requirements solely in relation to grain yield, neglecting grain protein content, a crucial index for wheat grain quality. Addressing this gap, we conducted multi-site, multi-cultivar, and multi-year field trials across three ecological regions of China from 2016 to 2020 to elucidate variations in nutrient requirements for grain yield and grain protein. The research findings revealed that wheat grain yield ranged from 4.1 to 9.3 Mg ha-1 (average 6.9 Mg ha-1) and grain protein content ranged from 98 to 157 g kg-1 (average 127 g kg-1) across the three regions. Notably, the N requirement exhibited a nonlinear correlation with the wheat grain yield but a linear increase with increasing grain protein, while the P and K requirements positively correlated with grain yield and protein content. Regression models were formulated to determine the nutrient requirements (MENR), enabling the prediction of N, P, and K requirements for leading cultivars with varying grain yields and protein contents. Implementing nutrient requirements based on MENR projections resulted in substantial reductions in fertilizer rates: 22.0 kg ha-1 N (10.7 %), 9.9 kg ha-1 P (20.2 %), and 8.1 kg ha-1 K (16.3 %). This translated to potential savings of 0.4 Mt. N, 0.23 Mt. P, and 0.17 Mt. K, consequently mitigating 5.5 Mt. CO2 greenhouse-gas emission and yielding an economic benefit of 0.8 billion US$ annually in China. These findings underscore the significance of considering grain yield and protein content in estimating nutrient requirements for fertilizer recommendations to realize high-yielding, high-protein wheat production, and minimize overfertilization and associated environmental risks.

Utilizing ANN for Predicting the Cauchy Stress and Lateral Stretch of Random Elastomeric Foams under Uniaxial Loading.

As a result of their cell structures, elastomeric foams exhibit high compressibility and are frequently used as buffer cushions in energy absorption. Foam pads between two surfaces typically withstand uniaxial loads. In this paper, we considered the effects of porosity and cell size on the mechanical behavior of random elastomeric foams, and proposed a constitutive model based on an artificial neural network (ANN). Uniform cell size distribution was used to represent monodisperse foam. The constitutive relationship between Cauchy stress and the four input variables of axial stretch λU, lateral stretch λL, porosity φ, and cell size θ was given by con-ANN. The mechanical responses of 500 different foam structures (20% < φ < 60%, 0.1 mm < θ < 0.5 mm) under compression and tension loads (0.4 < λU < 3) were simulated, and a dataset containing 100,000 samples was constructed. We also introduced a pre-ANN to predict lateral stretch to address the issue of missing lateral strain data in practical applications. By combining physical experience, we chose appropriate input forms and activation functions to improve ANN's extrapolation capability. The results showed that pre-ANN and con-ANN could provide reasonable predictions for λU outside the dataset. We can obtain accurate lateral stretch and axial stress predictions from two ANNs. The porosity affects the stress and λL, while the cell size only affects the stress during foam compression.

The value of different involvement patterns of the knee "synovio-entheseal complex" in the differential diagnosis of spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis: an MRI-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the different involvement patterns of the knee "synovio-entheseal complex (SEC)" on MRI in patients with spondyloarthritis (SPA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: This study retrospectively included 120 patients (male:female, 55:65) with a mean age of 39.20 years diagnosed with SPA (n = 40), RA (n = 40), and OA (n = 40) at the First Central Hospital of Tianjin between January 2020 and May 2022. Six knee entheses were assessed by two musculoskeletal radiologists according to the SEC definition. Bone marrow lesions associated with entheses include bone marrow edema (BME) and bone erosion (BE), which were classified as entheseal or peri-entheseal based on their relationship to the entheses. Three groups (OA, RA, and SPA) were established to characterize the location of enthesitis and the different SEC involvement patterns. Inter-group and intra-group differences were analyzed using the ANOVA or chi-square tests, and the inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) test was used to determine inter-reader agreement. RESULTS: The study contained a total of 720 entheses. The SEC-based analysis revealed different involvement patterns in three groups. The OA group had the most abnormal signals in tendons/ligaments (p = 0.002). The RA group had considerably greater synovitis (p = 0.002). The majority of peri-entheseal BE was identified in the OA and RA groups (p = 0.003). Furthermore, entheseal BME in the SPA group was significantly different from those in the other two groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SEC involvement patterns differed in SPA, RA, and OA, which is important for differential diagnosis. SEC should be used as a whole evaluation method in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: • The "synovio-entheseal complex (SEC)" explained differences and characteristic alterations in the knee joint in patients with spondyloarthritis (SPA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA). • The various SEC involvement patterns are crucial for differentiating SPA, RA, and OA. • When "knee pain" is the only symptom, a detailed identification of characteristic alterations in the knee joint of SPA patients may help timely treatment and delay the structural damage.

Improved Zn bioavailability by its enhanced colocalization and speciation with S in wheat grain tissues after N addition.

Zinc bioavailability with the presence of other elements in wheat grains might be affected by fertilizers. A long-term field experiment was conducted to examine effects of N fertilizer on Zn bioavailability in wheat grain tissues, with changes in the concentrations, distribution, and speciation of Zn as well as P and sulfur S via synchrotron-based technology. Results showed that addition of N fertilizer was associated with changes in Zn concentrations and distributions in grain tissues, especially in the crease region and endosperm. Simultaneously, N addition enhanced Zn-S colocalization in the crease region and endosperm and lowered the P/Zn ratio and Zn-P colocalization. Addition of N fertilizer with P increased Zn-cysteine (9.2%) and decreased Zn-phytate (47.3%) in the crease region, leading to potentially higher grain Zn bioavailability. Thus, addition of N fertilizer improved concentrations and bioavailability of Zn, by coordinating the relationships among Zn, P and S within wheat grains.

Peripheral enthesitis assessed by whole-body MRI in axial spondyloarthritis: Distribution and diagnostic value.

Objective: To determine the distribution and diagnostic value of peripheral enthesitis detected by whole-body MRI (WBMRI) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) diagnosis, and to determine the value of the peripheral enthesitis score in axSpA assessment. Methods: Sixty axSpA patients [mean age of 33.2 (24.8-40.6) years] and 50 controls with chronic low back pain (LBP) [mean age of 34.7 (28.3-41.1) years] were enrolled. The gold standard was physician's comprehensive diagnosis based on current classification criteria and physical examination. All subjects underwent WBMRI, and 47 peripheral entheses were assessed for each patient with scores of 0-188. Results: WBMRI identified 155 enthesitis sites in 78.3% (n = 47) patients with axSpA. Meanwhile, 23 enthesitis sites were identified in 32% (n = 16) controls. The pelvis had the maximum number of enthesitis sites (52, 33.5%) in axSpA patients. Pelvic and anterior chest wall enthesitis had the highest sensitivity (51.67%) and specificity (100%) in axSpA diagnosis, respectively. There were different manifestations of enthesitis subtypes between axSpA patients and the control group. Osteitis was more present than soft-tissue inflammation in axSpA patients. The AUC for the number of enthesitis sites was 0.819 (95% CI 0.739-0.899), and that for the enthesitis score was 0.833 (95% CI 0.755-0.910), indicating statistically significant differences (P = 0.025). Based on the Youden index and clinical need, three enthesitis sites (sensitivity of 53.33, specificity of 98, and Youden index of 0.51) and enthesitis score (sensitivity of 58.33, specificity of 98, and Youden index of 0.56) may have the greatest value for axSpA diagnosis. Conclusion: The distribution of peripheral enthesitis can be adequately assessed by whole-body MRI, which could help diagnose axial spondyloarthritis. The enthesitis score may provide a more accurate assessment and diagnostic tool in axSpA compared with enthesitis site counting.

Evaluation of active inflammation, chronic structural damage, and response to treatment of sacroiliitis in axial spondyloarthritis using the Spondyloarthritis research consortium of Canada scoring system.

BACKGROUND: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. To investigate whether there are differences in inflammatory and chronic structural damages, as assessed by a semiquantitative MRI scoring method, between non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with active inflammation at baseline, and to evaluate the treatment response in these patients after 3 months of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor treatment. METHODS: Fifty-eight axSpA patients with active inflammation were included in the study. The patients were divided into nr-axSpA group and AS group. MRI examinations of the sacroiliac joints were performed before and after treatment. Inflammatory and structural damages in these patients were assessed using the established Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) inflammation and sacroiliac joint structural (SSS) scoring methods, which are two MRI-based scoring methods. The SPARCC score, SSS score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: At baseline, SPARCC scores for patients in the nr-axSpA and AS groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05); however, SSS scores for fat metaplasia, erosion, and backfill for patients in the AS group were significantly higher (P < 0.001). Compared with baseline, SPARCC scores were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001); however, after treatment, no statistically significant difference was found regarding SPARCC scores between the AS and nr-axSpA groups. Compared with baseline, a significant increase in the SSS scores for fat metaplasia and backfill (P < 0.001) and a significant decrease in the SSS scores for erosion (P < 0.001) were observed in all axSpA patients. Changes in the SPARCC score was inversely correlated with the changes in the SSS score for fat metaplasia (r = - 0.634, P < 0.001). Changes in the SSS score for backfill were positively correlated with the changes in the SSS score for fat metaplasia (r = 0.277, P < 0.05) and inversely correlated with those for erosion (r = - 0.443, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The SPARCC and SSS scoring systems can be used to assess inflammatory and chronic structural damages as well as treatment responses in patients with axSpA. More severe structural damages were seen in AS patients. TNF-α inhibitor treatment for 3 months could effectively reduce inflammation in axSpA patients.

Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Technique Identifies Contribution of Node Iron and Zinc Accumulations to the Grain of Wheat.

Increasing iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in crop grains with high yield is an effective measure to ensure food supply and alleviate mineral malnutrition in humans. Micronutrient concentrations in grains depend on not only their availability in soils but also their uptake in roots and translocation to shoots and grains. In this three-year field study, we investigated genotypic variation in Fe and Zn uptake and translocation within six wheat cultivars and examined in detail Fe and Zn distributions in various tissues of two cultivars with similar high yield but different grain Fe and Zn concentrations using synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence. Results revealed that root Fe and Zn concentrations were 11 and 44% greater in high-nutrient (HN) than in low-nutrient (LN) concentration cultivar. Although both cultivars accumulated similar amounts of Fe in shoots, HN cultivar had greater accumulation of Fe in grain and greater accumulation of Zn in both shoots and grain. Grain Zn concentration was positively correlated with shoot Zn accumulation, and grain Fe concentration was positively correlated with the ability to translocate Fe from leaves/stem to grains. In the first nodes of shoots, HN cultivar had 482% greater Fe and 36% greater Zn concentrations in the enlarged vascular bundle (EVB) than LN cultivar. In top nodes, HN cultivar had 225 and 116% greater Fe and Zn concentrations in the transit vascular bundle and 77 and 71% greater in the EVB when compared to LN cultivar. HN cultivar also had a greater ability to allocate Fe and Zn to the grain than LN cultivar. In conclusion, HN cultivar had greater capacity of Fe and Zn acquirement by roots and translocation and partitioning from shoots into grains. Screening wheat cultivars for larger Fe and Zn concentrations in shoot nodes could be a novel strategy for breeding crops with greater grain Fe and Zn concentrations.

Baseline Severity of Sacroiliitis and Extensive Fat Metaplasia Predicts the Progression of Backfill at the Sacroiliac Joint in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Objectives: Fat metaplasia in an erosion cavity, also known as backfill, is an essential intermediary in new bone formation in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients; however, the predictors of backfill progression are unknown. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the predictors of backfill progression in axSpA patients on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Clinical and MRI data were collected at baseline and follow-up in 52 axSpA patients. Backfill progression was defined as the new or increased T1 hyperintensity within the SI joint space. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of the backfill progression. Results: A total of 19 patients had "backfill" at baseline and 30 patients exhibited the backfill progression after follow-up. The mean disease duration and SPARCC scores at baseline were significantly different between patients with and without backfill progression (P<0.001, P=0.003, respectively). Patients with backfill progression had a higher frequency of backfill at baseline, a higher SSS score of fat metaplasia, and a higher SSS score of backfill than those without (P=0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively). A higher fat fraction value in the fat metaplasia area at the baseline was more frequent in patients with, than without, backfill progression (P=0.019). In the univariate logistic regression analyses, a higher SPARCC score for inflammation and a higher SSS score for fat metaplasia at baseline were associated with backfill progression. Conclusions: Severity of sacroiliitis and extensive fat metaplasia at baseline are predictors of the backfill progression in axSpA patients.

Selecting High Zinc Wheat Cultivars Increases Grain Zinc Bioavailability.

Improving the concentration and bioavailability of zinc (Zn) in cereal grains is an important way to solve the problem of Zn deficiency in human body. The bioavailability of Zn is related to both its distribution and speciation in grains. In the current study, we examined the differences of Zn concentration, distribution, and speciation within grains among wheat cultivars with similar high grain yield but contrasting grain Zn concentration using synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). Results showed that compared to the low-Zn cultivar, the Zn concentration was 103, 50, 76, 33, and 64% higher in the crease region, aleurone layer, scutellum, embryonic axis, and endosperm of the high-Zn cultivar, respectively. Zinc mainly colocalized with phosphorus (P) in the aleurone layer and the scutellum, but less colocalization of Zn with P and a much lower concentration ratio of P/Zn were found in the high-Zn cultivar. Sulfur (S) is present in the form of scattered spots in the endosperm in accord with Zn, but the colocalization of Zn with S was predominant in the modified aleurone layer and the nucellar projection of the high-Zn cultivar. XANES results showed the lower proportion of Zn-phytate in the high-Zn cultivar. Findings indicated that it is possible to select the high-yield wheat cultivar with both high grain Zn concentration and high bioavailability, which provide a new perspective for genetic Zn biofortification.

Wheat Rhizosphere Metagenome Reveals Newfound Potential Soil Zn-Mobilizing Bacteria Contributing to Cultivars' Variation in Grain Zn Concentration.

An effective solution to global human zinc (Zn) deficiency is Zn biofortification of staple food crops, which has been hindered by the low available Zn in calcareous soils worldwide. Many culturable soil microbes have been reported to increase Zn availability in the laboratory, while the status of these microbes in fields and whether there are unculturable Zn-mobilizing microbes remain unexplored. Here, we use the culture-independent metagenomic sequencing to investigate the rhizosphere microbiome of three high-Zn (HZn) and three low-Zn (LZn) wheat cultivars in a field experiment with calcareous soils. The average grain Zn concentration of HZn was higher than the Zn biofortification target 40 mg kg-1, while that of LZn was lower than 40 mg kg-1. Metagenomic sequencing and analysis showed large microbiome difference between wheat rhizosphere and bulk soil but small difference between HZn and LZn. Most of the rhizosphere-enriched microbes in HZn and LZn were in common, including many of the previously reported soil Zn-mobilizing microbes. Notably, 30 of the 32 rhizosphere-enriched species exhibiting different abundances between HZn and LZn possess the functional genes involved in soil Zn mobilization, especially the synthesis and exudation of organic acids and siderophores. Most of the abundant potential Zn-mobilizing species were positively correlated with grain Zn concentration and formed a module with strong interspecies relations in the co-occurrence network of abundant rhizosphere-enriched microbes. The potential Zn-mobilizing species, especially Massilia and Pseudomonas, may contribute to the cultivars' variation in grain Zn concentration, and they deserve further investigation in future studies on Zn biofortification.

High phosphorus fertilization changes the speciation and distribution of manganese in wheat grains grown in a calcareous soil.

The physiological disorders in humans resulting from the excess dietary intake of manganese (Mn) via whole-grain food has attracted considerable attention. However, the speciation and bioavailability of Mn in wheat grains and their response to different phosphorus (P) fertilization rates are still unclear. In the current study, using a long-term field trial with P application rates of 0, 21.8, 43.6, 65.5 and 87.3 kg/ha, we examined changes in the concentration, distribution, and speciation of Mn of wheat grains using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The total Mn concentration in grains was found to be increased by phosphorus fertilization, especially in embryo in the form of Mn(II), but this phosphorus fertilization also decreased Mn concentrations in the nucellar projection. In this study, the speciation of Mn in different wheat grain tissues was examined, and results indicate that in calcareous soils, high rates of P fertilizers can increase Mn concentrations in wheat grain, including Mn which is likely to be of high bioavailability, and thus may increase the risk for human to expose to high Mn intake via whole-grain food.

Chlorogenic Acid Prevents Alcohol-induced Brain Damage in Neonatal Rat.

The present investigation evaluates the neuroprotective effect of chlorogenic acid (CA) in alcohol-induced brain damage in neonatal rats. Ethanol (12 % v/v, 5 g/kg) was administered orally in the wistar rat pups on postnatal days (PD) 7-9. Chlorogenic acid (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered continuously from PD 6 to 28. Cognitive function was estimated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. However, activity of acetylcholinesterase, inflammatory mediators, parameters of oxidative stress and activity of caspase-3 enzyme was estimated in the tissue homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus of ethanol-exposed pups. It has been observed that treatment with CA attenuates the altered cognitive function in ethanol-exposed pups. There was a significant decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase in the CA treated group compared to the negative control group. However, treatment with CA significantly ameliorates the increased oxidative stress and concentration of inflammatory mediators in the brain tissues of ethanol-exposed pups. Activity of caspase-3 enzyme was also found significantly decreased in the CA treated group compared to the negative control group. The present study concludes that CA attenuates the neuronal damage induced in alcohol exposed neonatal rat by decreasing the apoptosis of neuronal cells.