Polyphenol Supplementation Reverses Age-Related Changes in Microglial Signaling Cascades

Microglial activity in the aging neuroimmune system is a central player in aging-related dysfunction. Aging alters microglial function via shifts in protein signaling cascades. These shifts can propagate neurodegenerative pathology. Therapeutics require a multifaceted approach to understand and address the stochastic nature of this process. Polyphenols offer one such means of rectifying age-related decline. Our group used mass spectrometry (MS) analysis to explicate the complex nature of these aging microglial pathways. In our first experiment, we compared primary microglia isolated from young and aged rats and identified 197 significantly differentially expressed proteins between these groups. Then, we performed bioinformatic analysis to explore differences in canonical signaling cascades related to microglial homeostasis and function with age. In a second experiment, we investigated changes to these pathways in aged animals after 30-day dietary supplementation with NT-020, which is a blend of polyphenols. We identified 144 differentially expressed proteins between the NT-020 group and the control diet group via MS analysis. Bioinformatic analysis predicted an NT-020 driven reversal in the upregulation of age-related canonical pathways that control inflammation, cellular metabolism, and proteostasis. Our results highlight salient aspects of microglial aging at the level of protein interactions and demonstrate a potential role of polyphenols as therapeutics for age-associated dysfunction.     

Dietary intake of Senegalese adults

The aim of this work is to identify major food sources and dietary constituents of Senegalese adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study, using a single 24-hour dietary recall interview. Foods were classified into food groups based on similarities in nutrient content or use. Food groups included foods consumed individually, or as part of food mixtures such as stews, soups, or sandwiches. Median consumption (amount/day) of each food was determined and examined by relevant subgroups. Participants were 50 healthy Senegalese men, aged 20-62 years recruited at the Hôpital Général de Grand Yoff in Dakar, Senegal and from Sendou village, a rural area outside Dakar. A total of 90 foods and beverages were identified and classified into 11 groups. Sixty-five percent of foods identified could be classified as meats, grains, or fruits/vegetables. Fruits and vegetables comprised 42% (38/90) of all foods; meats 12% (11/90); and grains 11% (10/90). Sauces (6%, 5/90), sweets (4%, 4/90), and desserts (4%, 4/90) were also reported. The most common fruits/vegetables reported were potato, carrot, mango, and lettuce; commonly reported grains were bread and rice; and commonly reported meats were fish, beef, and ox. There were no differences in reported daily intake of each food by age, ethnicity, education, or residence. Most foods reported were traditional to the Senegalese diet, despite the increasing availability of Western foods in Senegal.     

Distribution,Characterization and the Commercialization of Elite Rhizobia Strains in Africa

Grain legumes play a significant role in smallholder farming systems in Africa because of their contribution to nutrition and income security and their role in fixing nitrogen. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) serves a critical role in improving soil fertility for legumes. Although much research has been conducted on rhizobia in nitrogen fixation and their contribution to soil fertility, much less is known about the distribution and diversity of the bacteria strains in different areas of the world and which of the strains achieve optimal benefits for the host plants under specific soil and environmental conditions. This paper reviews the distribution, characterization, and commercialization of elite rhizobia strains in Africa.     

有机氮肥对马来西亚沙捞越州酸性土壤玉米干物质产量及铵态氮和硝态氮含量的影响

腐殖质中的腐植酸和黄腐酸可以提高土壤中可交换性铵（NH4＋）的回收率。这两种酸固定和保持NH4＋的能力已经在许多研究中得到了证实,二者通过提高植株的光合作用速率、促进根系发育影响植物的生长和养分吸收。因此,本研究调查了这两种酸（液态）对玉米干物质产量、土壤铵态氮和硝态氮（NO3-）含量的影响。根据液态有机氮肥的组成,采用标准方法分离提纯腐植酸。有机氮肥在玉米种植后第10天、第28天分别施入盆栽土壤,然后在种植后第54天或孕穗期采集植株和土壤样品。土壤样品分析PH、铵态氮和硝态氮含量,植株样品测定干物质产量。结果表明,在酸性条件下,液态有机氮肥（黄腐酸、腐植酸或二者同时施用）的施用可以提高土壤中NH4＋的累积量。随土壤活性碳储量的增加,腐植酸分子上羧基官能团对土壤NH4＋的吸附能力增强。然而,酸含量较低时对干物质产量的影响明显减小。各处理间硝态氮的有效性没有达到统计上的差异显著水平。较低的PH值能抑制土壤硝化作用进程,同时降低土壤NO3-含量。这表明液态腐植酸和／或黄腐酸在提高尿素利用效率方面发挥着重要作用。然而,与腐植酸分子特性有关的作用机理还需要进一步详细研究。本研究为液态和叶面有机肥料的发展提供一定的依据。     

Effect of different N fertilizer forms on antioxidant capacity and grain yield of rice growing under Cd stress

Cadmium contamination in soil has become a serious issue in sustainable agriculture production and food safety. A pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of four N fertilizer forms on grain yield, Cd concentration in plant tissues and oxidative stress under two Cd levels (0 and 100 mg Cd kg(-1)soil). The results showed that both N form and Cd stress affected grain yield, with urea-N and NH(4)(+)-N treatments having significantly higher grain yields, and Cd addition reducing yield. NO(3)(-)-N and NH(4)(+)-N treated plants had the highest and lowest Cd concentration in plant tissues, respectively. Urea-N and NH(4)(+)-N treatments had significantly higher N accumulation in plant tissues than other two N treatments. Cd addition caused a significant increase in leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities for all N treatments, except for NO(3)(-)-N treatment, with urea-N and NH(4)(+)-N treated plants having more increase than organic-N treated ones. The results indicated that growth inhibition, yield reduction and Cd uptake of rice plants in response to Cd addition varied with the N fertilizer form.