Hybridization and genome duplication for early evolutionary success in the Asian Palmate group of Araliaceae

The phenomenal advances in sequencing techniques and analytical development during the last decade have provided a unique opportunity to unravel the evolutionary history of lineages under complex patterns of evolution. This is the case of the largest clade of the ginseng family (Araliaceae), the Asian Palmate group (AsPG), where the large internal polytomies and genome incongruences detected in previous studies pointed to a scenario of radiation with hybridization events between genera for the early evolution of the group. In this study, we aim to obtain well‐resolved nuclear and plastid phylogenies of the AsPG using Hyb‐Seq to evaluate the radiation hypothesis and assess the role of hybridization in the early evolution of the group. We performed concatenated‐ and coalescent‐based phylogenetic analyses from the 936 targeted nuclear loci and 261 plastid loci obtained for 72 species representing 20 genera of the AsPG and the main clades of Araliaceae. The impact of hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) was assessed with SNaQ, and genome duplications were evaluated with ChromEvol. Our nuclear and plastid phylogenies are compatible with a scenario of early radiation in the AsPG. Also, the identification of extensive signals of hybridization and ILS behind the genome incongruences supports hybridization as a major driving force during the early radiation. We hypothesize a whole‐genome duplication event at the origin of the AsPG, followed by a radiation that led to extensive ILS, which, alongside the early inter‐genera hybridization, is obscuring the phylogenetic signal in the early evolution of this major cladeThis study was financed in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness (CGL2017‐87198‐P), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019‐106840GA‐C22), the Laboratories of Analytical Biology of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Smithsonian Institution DNA Barcode Network. A. Gallego‐Narbón was supported by the program “Contratos predoctorales para Formación de Personal Investigador FPI‐ UAM” of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (FPI‐UAM 2018) and the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP

Repeated asynchronous evolution of single-species endemics of ivies (Hedera L.) in Macaronesian archipelagos

Aim: Evolutionary studies of oceanic island endemics are usually focused on lineages that have experienced in situ radiation, while those that speciated once on the island or archipelago but have not further diversified (single-species endemics) remain understudied. The Macaronesian archipelagos, in the Atlantic Ocean, are home to significant numbers of single-species endemics. The genus Hedera L. (12 species) includes three single-species endemics from three Macaronesian archipelagos with putatively independent origins. Here, we tested the role of phylogenetic niche conservatism in their evolution. To that end, we (1) reconstructed the spatio-temporal origin of Macaronesian ivies using phylogenomics, and (2) assessed the role of climatic niche during their colonization and speciation. Location: Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira, western Mediterranean. Taxon: Hedera spp. Methods: We used 166 samples representing all Hedera species to generate genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) libraries and performed time-calibrated phylogenomic and biogeographic analyses. Climatic preferences and climatic niche evolution were assessed using a geo-referenced database of the western ivy species (2,297 records). Results: Independent and asynchronous colonization and speciation were estimated for the three Macaronesian ivies, resulting in different degrees of phylogenetic and climatic niche differentiation: H. canariensis displayed an early divergence (7.5–12 Ma) and high phylogenetic and niche isolation; H. azorica had intermediate phylogenetic isolation and niche divergence from its closest relative H. helix (4.4–6.8 Ma) and H. maderensis was embedded within the climatically similar H. iberica (2.8–4.6 Ma). A strong phylogenetic signal was suggested for climatic niche in the western clade of Hedera, where the three Macaronesian ivies are placed. Main Conclusions: The three Macaronesian ivies represent the evolutionary stages leading to the emergence of single-species island endemics. Climatic niche conservatism appears to be involved in the evolution of single-species endemics, first by facilitating island colonization, and then by limiting in situ diversificationSpanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Grant/Award Number: CGL2017-87198-P and PID2019- 106840GA-C22; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Grant/Award Number: FPIUAM 201

Physiological and Dietary Determinants of Iron Status in Spanish Vegetarians

Vegetarian diets may compromise iron status, as they provide non-haem iron which has low bioavailability. Spanish lacto-ovo vegetarians (n = 49) and vegans (n = 55) were recruited and haematological and biochemical iron parameters were analysed. Food and supplements consumption, body composition, physical activity, menstrual blood losses and hormonal contraceptive use were assessed. Four groups were studied: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), iron depletion (ferritin <15 ng/mL), iron deficiency (ferritin ≥15 to ≤30 ng/mL), and iron sufficiency (ferritin >30 ng/mL). IDA was uncommon (n = 5, 4.8%), 27.9% of participants were iron-depleted, and 30.8% were iron-deficient. Serum ferritin was lower in women than men (p < 0.001) and IDA and iron depleted individuals were all women. There were no differences attributed to diet type, time being vegetarian or physical activity. The menstrual period length was negatively associated with transferrin saturation (ρ = −0.364, p = 0.001) and hormonal contraceptive use (ρ = −0.276, p = 0.014). Iron supplements were consumed most frequently by IDA and iron-deficient subjects (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Iron status did not vary between lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans and there was not an influence of the time following a vegetarian diet. Although men were iron-sufficient, iron deficiency was frequent in women, who should apply strategies to increase iron bioavailability, especially if they experience intense menstrual blood losses

Vitamin B12 status of Spanish vegetarians determined by cobalamin and methylmalonic acid serum levels

Resumen del póster presentado al XVII Congreso de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición [XVII Conference of the Spanish Nutrition Society (SEÑ) and the X Meeting of the Catalan Association of Food Science (ACCA)], celebrado en Barcelona (España) del 27 al 29 de junio de 2018.[Introduction]: Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common health issue in vegetarians, and especially in vegans, if fortified foods or supplements are not consumed. There is no ideal diagnostic marker of vitamin B12 deficiency, as the single determination of the total serum vitamin levels usually does not rule out functional deficiency conditions. Methylmalonic acid (MMA), an intermediate of the one carbon metabolism in which vitamin B12 participates as a cofactor, increases prior to the vitamin B12 decrease and is a good biomarker of the status of this vitamin. [Objectives]: In this study we present for the first time the vitamin B12 status of Spanish vegetarians, studied by both serum MMA and vitamin B12. In addition, we examine the influence of the dietary preferences (ovo-lacto vegetarian or vegan) and the intake of cobalamin supplements. [Methods]: Healthy vegetarian adults (n=104) were recruited. Dietary patterns and consumption of supplements were assessed by questionnaires and blood samples were collected. Serum vitamin B12 was measured by chemiluminiscence and serum MMA by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). [Results]: Obtained median (IQR) values were: vitamin B12, 280.4 (160.2) pmol/l, MMA, 139.9 (78.9) nmol/l. There were no differences associated to gender, age or the type of vegetarian diet. The consideration of vitamin B12 levels alone resulted in the detection of 2 deficient individuals, while the addition of MMA as a second marker identified 10% of mild deficient subjects. Consumption of vitamin B12 supplements, by 75% of the participants, involved higher vitamin B12 (p<0.001) and lower MMA (p=0.012) levels compared to non-consumption. [Conclusions]: The studied Spanish lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans presented a generally sufficient cobalamin status, which can be explained by the extended awareness of the need of supplement consumption.Research project financed by Zamdeh Laboratories.Peer Reviewe

Physiological and dietary determinants of iron status in spanish vegetarians

© The Author(s).Vegetarian diets may compromise iron status, as they provide non-haem iron which has low bioavailability. Spanish lacto-ovo vegetarians (n = 49) and vegans (n = 55) were recruited and haematological and biochemical iron parameters were analysed. Food and supplements consumption, body composition, physical activity, menstrual blood losses and hormonal contraceptive use were assessed. Four groups were studied: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), iron depletion (ferritin 30 ng/mL). IDA was uncommon (n = 5, 4.8%), 27.9% of participants were iron-depleted, and 30.8% were iron-deficient. Serum ferritin was lower in women than men (p < 0.001) and IDA and iron depleted individuals were all women. There were no differences attributed to diet type, time being vegetarian or physical activity. The menstrual period length was negatively associated with transferrin saturation (ρ = −0.364, p = 0.001) and hormonal contraceptive use (ρ = −0.276, p = 0.014). Iron supplements were consumed most frequently by IDA and iron-deficient subjects (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Iron status did not vary between lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans and there was not an influence of the time following a vegetarian diet. Although men were iron-sufficient, iron deficiency was frequent in women, who should apply strategies to increase iron bioavailability, especially if they experience intense menstrual blood losses.The study was supported by a research project financed by Zamdeh Laboratories (Veggunn study). A. Gallego-Narbón contract was funded by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) from the European Social Fund (ESF).Peer reviewe

Methylmalonic acid determination to study vitamin B12 status in Spanish vegetarians

Resumen del póster presentado al 40th ESPEN Congress on Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, celebrado en Madrid (España) del 1 al 4 de septiembre de 2018.[Rationale]: Methylmalonic acid (MMA), an intermediate of the vitamin B12 pathway, is an early indicator of cobalamin deficiency. In this study, for the first time we determined MMA in Spanish vegetarians to detect vitamin B12 deficiency. [Methods]: Healthy adult lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans were recruited (n=104). Intake of vitamin B12 supplements was assessed by a questionnaire. Serum vitamin B12 levels were measured by chemiluminiscence and serum MMA by an optimized liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method preceded by solid phase extraction. Accuracy of the used calibrators and intra-assay and inter-assay variability of the quality controls were calculated to provide reliability to the obtained results. Differences in vitamin B12 and MMA levels regarding supplementation were assessed by ANOVA tests. [Results]: The accuracy of the calibrators was 86e106%, and quality controls were within the expected range for every reading. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were always below a 10%. While vitamin B12 levels were under the cut-off for deficiency in only two subjects, MMA was high in eleven individuals. Furthermore, vegetarians consuming cobalamin supplements presented higher vitamin B12 (p<0.001) and lower MMA (p=0.012) levels. [Conclusions]: The LC-MS/MS method for MMA measurement proved its applicability to detect subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency. The status of vitamin B12, linked to supplementation, was generally adequate in the studied population, which emphasizes the need for supplementation to maintain suitable levels of this vitamin in vegetarians.The study was supported by Zamdeh Laboratories. Gallego-Narbón A was funded by the European Social Fund, Young European Initiative.Peer Reviewe

Are vegetarian diets nutritionally adequate? A revision of the scientific evidence

[ES]: El seguimiento de dietas vegetarianas está en auge y, aunque estas se han relacionado con algunos beneficios para la salud, la baja biodisponibilidad de determinados micronutrientes en los alimentos vegetales puede resultar en riesgo de déficit nutricional, por lo que se hace necesaria una adecuada planificación de dichas dietas. En este sentido, se ha evidenciado el déficit de vitamina B12 en vegetarianos y está consensuada la necesidad de ingerir complementos de esta vitamina. La deficiencia de vitamina D puede ser más frecuente que en omnívoros, particularmente durante el invierno, cuando la síntesis cutánea es mínima. La baja biodisponibilidad del hierro, el zinc y el selenio en los alimentos vegetales puede afectar también al estado nutricional de vegetarianos. Además, las dietas vegetarianas suelen ser deficitarias en ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de la serie omega-3, eicosapentaenoico (EPA) y docosahexaenoico (DHA). Por otro lado, estas dietas sí parecen aportar cantidades adecuadas de otras vitaminas, como el ácido ascórbico, el ácido fólico y las vitaminas liposolubles A y E. En esta revisión se presentan las características de la ingesta de macro- y micronutrientes procedentes de las dietas vegetarianas y la relación dieta-salud. Se exponen, además, datos sobre el estado nutricional de adultos que consumen dichas dietas, proponiendo recomendaciones nutricionales primordiales para prevenir deficiencias. Finalmente, se presenta la posible aplicación clínica de intervenciones controladas con dietas vegetarianas.[EN]: Vegetarian diets are booming and, although these diets have been linked to some health benefits, the low bioavailability of some micronutrients in plant foods may result in risk of nutritional deficiencies, which makes necessary adequate planning of these diets. In this regard, vitamin B12 deficiency in vegetarians has been evidenced and there is a consensus on the need of supplementation of this vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency may be more frequent than in omnivores, particularly during the winter, when skin synthesis is minimal. The low bioavailability of iron, zinc and selenium in vegetables can also affect nutritional status of vegetarians. Furthermore, vegetarian diets are usually deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 family, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. On the other hand, these diets appear to provide adequate quantities of other vitamins, such as ascorbic acid, folic acid and the fat-soluble vitamins A and E. In this review, the characteristics of the intake of macro- and micronutrients of vegetarian diets and the diet and health relationships are presented. In addition, data on nutritional status of this population are also shown and suggestions on nutritional recommendations to prevent deficiencies are given. Finally, the possible clinical application of controlled interventions with vegetarian diets is presented.E. García-Maldonado ha recibido financiación para la realización de Doctorados Industriales de la Comunidad de Madrid. A. Gallego-Narbón ha recibido una ayuda de la iniciativa de empleo juvenil del Fondo Social Europeo.Peer reviewe

Nutritional status of the spanish vegetarian population: Veggunn study

Resumen del trabajo presentado al VegMed: "VegMed - Scientific Congress for Plant-based Nutrition and Medicine", April, 20-22, 2018, Berlin.[Purpose]: Vegetarian diets are increasingly becoming popular in Spain. appropriately planned vegetarian, including vegan, diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. There are no scientific data on the nutritional status of vegetarian/vegan Spanish adults or on the relationship between their lifestyle habits and analytical biomarkers of health. Here we present the methodology of an ambitious research project with the aim of knowing the nutritional status of vegetarians, including vegans, using biochemical, anthropometric, dietary and health status markers. [Methods]: The study design is an observational assay with the following inclusion criteria: healthy adults (age≥18 y), men and women. Exclusion criteria were: occasional meat or fish consumption, diagnosed digestive, renal, hematologic, endocrine or oncological diseases, eating disorders, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. A total of 106 volunteers participated in the study. Diet information and body composition data were collected. Determinations included standard haematological and biochemical markers related with iron metabolism, lipid levels (total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), glucose, and vitamin B12. In addition, serum transferrin receptor, fatty acids (including n3 and n6), methylmalonic acid, and markers of bone remodelling were analysed. [Results]: Preliminary results indicated a predominance of vegetarian over vegan individuals. Most of the volunteers consumed vitamin B12 supplements. Concerning body composition, body mass index (BMI) was within the normal range. [Conclusions]: This research constitutes a complete first approach to the Spanish vegetarian population nutritional status and will provide an appropriate basis for future studies and public health recommendations.Peer Reviewe

Relationship between iron status markers and insulin resistance: an exploratory study in subjects with excess body weight

[Background]: Controversy exists on the relationship between iron metabolism and cardiometabolic risk. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a link between dysmetabolic iron and cardiometabolic markers in subjects with excess body weight[Methods]: Cross-sectional study with fifty participants presenting overweight or obesity and at least another metabolic syndrome factor. Determinations: anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, insulin, leptin, areas under the curve (AUC) for glucose and insulin after an oral glucose tolerance test, hs-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), blood count, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR). Gender-adjusted linear correlations and two independent samples t tests were used.[Results]: Ferritin was positively correlated with insulin-AUC (r = 0.547, p = 0.008) and TSAT was negatively correlated with waist-hip ratio (r = −0.385, p = 0.008), insulin (r = −0.551, p 20%. In conclusion, the observed results suggest that iron transport and storage are altered in subjects with overweight/obesity, at the same time that they exhibit the characteristic features of insulin resistance. Nevertheless, this occurs without iron overload or deficiency. These results should be validated in wider cohorts since they suggest that iron transport and storage should be assessed when performing the clinical evaluation of subjects with excess body weight.This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINNECO-FEDER, grant: AGL2014 55102-JIN). Angélica Gallego-Narbón was funded by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) from the European Social Fund (ESF).Support for the publication fee was provided by the CSIC Open Access Publication Support Initiative through its Unit of Information Resources for Research (URICI).Peer reviewe

Vitamin B12 and folate status in Spanish lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans

Studies on the nutritional status of vegetarians in Spain are lacking. Prevention of vitamin B12 deficiency is the main concern, as dietary sources are of animal origin. The present study aimed to evaluate vitamin B12 and folate status of Spanish vegetarians using classical markers and functional markers. Participants were adult and healthy lacto-ovo vegetarians (forty-nine subjects) and vegans (fifty-four subjects) who underwent blood analyses and completed a FFQ. Serum vitamin B12, homocysteine (Hcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), erythrocyte folate and haematological parameters were determined. The effects of the type of plant-based diet, and the intake of supplements and foods were studied by a FFQ. Mean erythrocyte folate was 1704 (sd 609) nmol/l. Clinical or subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency was detected in 11 % of the subjects (MMA>271 nmol/l) and 33 % of the participants showed hyperhomocysteinaemia (Hcy>15 µmol/l). Regarding plant-based diet type, significantly higher Hcy was observed in lacto-ovo vegetarians compared with vegans (P = 0·019). Moreover, use of vitamin B12 supplements involved an improvement of vitamin B12 status but further increase in erythrocyte folate (P = 0·024). Consumption of yoghurts was weakly associated with serum vitamin B12 adequacy (P = 0·049) and that of eggs with lower Hcy (P = 0·030). In conclusion, Spanish vegetarians present high folate status but vitamin B12 subclinical deficiency was demonstrated using functional markers. The lack of influence of dietary sources on functional markers and the strong effect of vitamin B12 supplement intake emphasise the need of cobalamin supplementation in both lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans.The study was supported by a research project financed by Laboratorios Zamdeh (Veggunn study). A. G.-N.'s work contract was funded by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) from the European Social Fund (ESF).Peer reviewe