Kinetic parameters related to nitrogen uptake in 'Okinawa' peach rootstocks are altered by 'Chimarrita' scion Nitrogen uptake in 'Okinawa' peach rootstock.

BACKGROUND: The kinetic parameters of peach rootstock are a major factor contributing to its nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency, which directly affects the yield and quality parameters. However, the impact of grafting on N kinetic parameters is not sufficiently known as rootstocks are grafted with other scion cultivars before being transplanted to the field. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate whether the grafting of 'Okinawa' rootstock with the scion cultivar 'Chimarrita' can alter the kinetic parameters related to N uptake. RESULTS: The plants were acclimatized in Hoagland solution for 21 days and, sequentially, were tested to assess the depletion of the internal reserves at 15 and 30 days in CaSO4 solution. Morphological and physiological parameters were evaluated, and kinetic parameters were calculated. The depletion period for to reach the minimum concentration (Cmin ) of NO3 - and NH4 + in the plant was 62 h and 56 h, respectively. The optimal time for internal reserve depletion for 'Okinawa' rootstock with and without the 'Chimarrita' scion was 30 days. CONCLUSION: 'Okinawa' rootstock grafted with 'Chimarrita' scion cultivar was more efficient in NO3 - and NH4 + uptake. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Facilitation of supplementary motor area excitability improves dual-task walking in young adults.

Activations of the DLPFC and SMA have been shown to correlate with dual-task walking. However, very few investigations have directly perturbed the activations of these areas to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate the role of DLPFC and SMA in dual-task walking using rTMS and 2) to determine whether the secondary task difficulty mediates the roles of these cortical areas. Nineteen young healthy adults were divided into two groups: Count-by-3 s (N = 9) and Count-by-7 s (N = 10) groups. During dualtask walking, the Count-by-3 s group walked and counted backward by 3 s while the other group counted backward by 7. Each participant received facilitatory rTMS (5 Hz) administered to the left DLPFC, SMA and M1 across 3 sessions (approximately a week apart). Single- and dual-task walking were assessed both before and after rTMS. Gait speed under the 2 walking conditions was analyzed with repeated measure ANOVA. rTMS to the SMA significantly increased dual-task walking speed (p = .02) but not singletask walking speed. In contrast, rTMS to the DLPFC or M1 did not result in any significant changes in gait speed. Secondary task difficulty did not moderate the effects of rTMS on dual-task gait because both groups had similar changes in gait performance after rTMS. SMA is an important neural substrate mediating dual-task walking and might be a therapeutic target for gait intervention.

Food for thought? Potential conflicts of interest in academic experts advising government and charities on dietary policies.

BACKGROUND: A conflict of interest (CoI) can occur between public duty and private interest, in which a public official's private-capacity interest could improperly influence the performance of their official duties and responsibilities. The most tangible and commonly considered CoI are financial. However, CoI can also arise due to other types of influence including interpersonal relationships, career progression, or ideology. CoI thus exist in academia, business, government and non-governmental organisations. However, public knowledge of CoI is currently limited due to a lack of information. The mechanisms of managing potential conflicts of interest also remain unclear due to a lack of guidelines. We therefore examined the independence of academic experts and how well potential CoI are identified and addressed in four government and non-governmental organisations in the UK responsible for the development of food policy. METHODS: Policy analysis. We developed an analytical framework to explore CoI in high-level UK food policy advice, using four case studies. Two government policy-making bodies: Department of Health 'Obesity Review Group' (ORG), 'Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition' (SACN) and two charities: 'Action on Sugar' (AoS), & 'Heart of Mersey' (HoM). Information was obtained from publicly available sources and declarations. We developed a five point ordinal scale based upon the ideology of the Nolan Principles of Public Life. Group members were individually categorised on the ordinal ConScale from "0", (complete independence from the food and drink industry) to "4", (employed by the food and drink industry or a representative organisation). RESULTS: CoI involving various industries have long been evident in policy making, academia and clinical practice. Suggested approaches for managing CoI could be categorised as "deny", "describe", or "diminish". Declared CoI were common in the ORG and SACN. 4 out of 28 ORG members were direct industry employees. In SACN 11 out of 17 members declared industry advisory roles or industry research funding. The two charities appeared to have equally strong academic expertise but fewer conflicts. No HoM members declared CoI. 5 out of 21 AoS members declared links with industry, mainly pharmaceutical companies. We were unable to obtain information on conflicts for some individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Conflicts of interest are unavoidable but potentially manageable. Government organisations responsible for policy development and implementation must institutionalize an approach to identify (disclose) and manage (mitigate or eliminate) perceived and actual CoI to improve public confidence in government decision-making relevant to food policy.

Comparing different policy scenarios to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods in UK: impact on cardiovascular disease mortality using a modelling approach.

BACKGROUND: The global burden of non-communicable diseases partly reflects growing exposure to ultra-processed food products (UPPs). These heavily marketed UPPs are cheap and convenient for consumers and profitable for manufacturers, but contain high levels of salt, fat and sugars. This study aimed to explore the potential mortality reduction associated with future policies for substantially reducing ultra-processed food intake in the UK. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We obtained data from the UK Living Cost and Food Survey and from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. By the NOVA food typology, all food items were categorized into three groups according to the extent of food processing: Group 1 describes unprocessed/minimally processed foods. Group 2 comprises processed culinary ingredients. Group 3 includes all processed or ultra-processed products. Using UK nutrient conversion tables, we estimated the energy and nutrient profile of each food group. We then used the IMPACT Food Policy model to estimate reductions in cardiovascular mortality from improved nutrient intakes reflecting shifts from processed or ultra-processed to unprocessed/minimally processed foods. We then conducted probabilistic sensitivity analyses using Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS: Approximately 175,000 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths might be expected in 2030 if current mortality patterns persist. However, halving the intake of Group 3 (processed) foods could result in approximately 22,055 fewer CVD related deaths in 2030 (minimum estimate 10,705, maximum estimate 34,625). An ideal scenario in which salt and fat intakes are reduced to the low levels observed in Group 1 and 2 could lead to approximately 14,235 (minimum estimate 6,680, maximum estimate 22,525) fewer coronary deaths and approximately 7,820 (minimum estimate 4,025, maximum estimate 12,100) fewer stroke deaths, comprising almost 13% mortality reduction. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a substantial potential for reducing the cardiovascular disease burden through a healthier food system. It highlights the crucial importance of implementing healthier UK food policies.

Frutificação, características físicas de frutos e produtividade em cultivares e seleções de pessegueiro em Vista Alegre do Alto-SP / Fruiting, physical fruit characteristics and productivity of peach tree cultivars and selections in Vista Alegre do Alto, São Paulo State, Brazil

A microrregião de Jaboticabal, SP, considerada como marginal para o cultivo do pessegueiro, apresenta vantagens comparativas importantes em relação às principais regiões produtoras do Brasil, como o reduzido risco de geadas, a baixa umidade relativa do ar e o déficit hídrico entre abril e setembro, além da possibilidade de produção precoce (agosto a outubro), o que tem remunerado satisfatoriamente os produtores. Entretanto, os resultados de pesquisa são consistentes apenas para a cultivar "Aurora-1". Visando consolidar esta microrregião como um novo pólo produtor de pêssegos de alta qualidade, o presente trabalho foi realizado no município de Vista Alegre do Alto-SP e teve por objetivo estudar a frutificação, as características físicas de frutos e a produtividade das cultivares "Aurora-1" e "Régis" e das seleções "Jab 484" e "Jab 694". Com as avaliações realizadas no 2° e no 3° ano após o transplantio das mudas (safras de 2005 e 2006), foi possível concluir que: a) a frutificação das cultivares "Régis" e "Aurora-1" e das seleções "Jab 484" e "Jab 694"é satisfatória em condições climáticas normais do município de Vista Alegre do Alto-SP; b) a cultivar "Régis" pode apresentar produção e produtividade equivalentes à "Aurora-1", podendo se tornar opção para produção ultraprecoce com frutos de dupla finalidade, ainda que sejam menores e mais leves em relação à "Aurora-1", "Jab 484" e "Jab 694"; c) as seleções "Jab 484" e "Jab 694" apresentam potencial para o cultivo em Vista Alegre do Alto-SP, por apresentarem frutos com características de dupla finalidade (servem para consumo in natura e para processamento), por serem mais pesados que "Aurora-1", podendo atingir produção e produtividade equivalentes a esta cultivar.

The Jaboticabal Micro-region, located in São Paulo State, Brazil, considered unsuitable for peach tree culture, presents important comparative advantages in relation to other traditional regions producing peach in Brazil, as the reduced frost incidence, low air relative humidity and hidric deficit between April and September, beyond precocious production possibility (August to October), which has remunerated satisfactorily the fruit growers. However, the research results are consistent only to 'Aurora-1' peach. Aiming to consolidate this Micro-region as a new peach production pole of high quality, the present research was conducted in Vista Alegre do Alto, São Paulo State, and had the objective to study the fruiting, physical fruit characteristics and productivity of 'Aurora-1' and 'Régis' cultivar, and 'Jab 484' and 'Jab 694' peach selections. With the evaluations carried through in 2nd and 3rd years after transplant (2005 and 2006 harvests), it was possible to conclude that: a) the fruiting of 'Régis' and 'Aurora-1' cultivars and 'Jab 484' and 'Jab 694' peach selections is satisfactory in normal climatic conditions in Vista Alegre do Alto, São Paulo State, Brazil; b) 'Régis' peach tree presents production and productivity equivalent to 'Aurora-1', becoming an option for ultraprecocious production of double purpose fruits, despite its fruits being smaller and lighter than 'Aurora-1' peach, 'Jab 484' and 'Jab 694' peach selections; c) 'Jab 484' and 'Jab 694' peach selections present potential in Vista Alegre do Alto, São Paulo State, presenting fruits with double purpose characteristics, being heavier than 'Aurora-1' peach, being able to reach production and productivity equivalent to this cultivar.