Integrated food-based multi-actor approach to combat malnutrition

Despite initial progress, overall development toward zero hunger is not promising. Combating all forms of malnutrition is a complex challenge that requires complex answers from the local to global scales. To support a common understanding and to develop a joint approach that adequately addresses these challenges, an expert panel discussion was organized during the “Nutrition for Growth Summit Tokyo” on (7–8) December 2021 entitled “Multi-sectoral systems approach to holistically tackle malnutrition” upon which this article is based. We highpoint the requirement for actual access to ideas that move beyond the abstract and mostly figurative acknowledgment of the importance of bringing all actors together to combat malnutrition. Four entry points for a food-based multi-sectoral system approach to holistically tackle the burden of malnutrition were agreed upon. These entry points are not discrete, single entities but rather require integrated approaches. While we argue for an integrated approach building on all four interlinked components, it is important to note that the degree of each component's integration is context-dependent and that the examples presented as possible implementation strategies do not apply to all countries alike.Peer Reviewe

Psychophysiological effects of synchronous versus asynchronous music during cycling

"This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in (https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2014&issue=02000&article=00024&type=abstract )"Purpose: Synchronizing movement to a musical beat may reduce the metabolic cost of exercise, but findings to date have been equivocal. Our aim was to examine the degree to which the synchronous application of music moderates the metabolic demands of a cycle ergometer task. Methods: Twenty-three recreationally active men made two laboratory visits. During the first visit, participants completed a maximal incremental ramp test on a cycle ergometer. At the second visit, they completed four randomized 6-min cycling bouts at 90% of ventilatory threshold (control, metronome, synchronous music, and asynchronous music). Main outcome variables were oxygen uptake, HR, ratings of dyspnea and limb discomfort, affective valence, and arousal. Results: No significant differences were evident for oxygen uptake. HR was lower under the metronome condition (122 T 15 bpm) compared to asynchronous music (124 T 17 bpm) and control (125 T 16 bpm). Limb discomfort was lower while listening to the metronome (2.5 T 1.2) and synchronous music (2.3 T 1.1) compared to control (3.0 T 1.5). Both music conditions, synchronous (1.9 T 1.2) and asynchronous (2.1 T 1.3), elicited more positive affective valence compared to metronome (1.2 T 1.4) and control (1.2 T 1.2), while arousal was higher with synchronous music (3.4 T 0.9) compared to metronome (2.8 T 1.0) and control (2.8 T 0.9). Conclusions: Synchronizing movement to a rhythmic stimulus does not reduce metabolic cost but may lower limb discomfort. Moreover, synchronous music has a stronger effect on limb discomfort and arousal when compared to asynchronous music

Integrated food-based multi-actor approach to combat malnutrition

Despite initial progress, overall development toward zero hunger is not promising. Combating all forms of malnutrition is a complex challenge that requires complex answers from the local to global scales. To support a common understanding and to develop a joint approach that adequately addresses these challenges, an expert panel discussion was organized during the “Nutrition for Growth Summit Tokyo” on (7–8) December 2021 entitled “Multi-sectoral systems approach to holistically tackle malnutrition” upon which this article is based. We highpoint the requirement for actual access to ideas that move beyond the abstract and mostly figurative acknowledgment of the importance of bringing all actors together to combat malnutrition. Four entry points for a food-based multi-sectoral system approach to holistically tackle the burden of malnutrition were agreed upon. These entry points are not discrete, single entities but rather require integrated approaches. While we argue for an integrated approach building on all four interlinked components, it is important to note that the degree of each component's integration is context-dependent and that the examples presented as possible implementation strategies do not apply to all countries alike

Nanoparticles presenting clusters of CD4 expose a universal vulnerability of HIV-1 by mimicking target cells

CD4-based decoy approaches against HIV-1 are attractive options for long-term viral control, but initial designs, including soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD4-Ig, were ineffective. To evaluate a therapeutic that more accurately mimics HIV-1 target cells compared with monomeric sCD4 and dimeric CD4-Ig, we generated virus-like nanoparticles that present clusters of membrane-associated CD4 (CD4-VLPs) to permit high-avidity binding of trimeric HIV-1 envelope spikes. In neutralization assays, CD4-VLPs were >12,000-fold more potent than sCD4 and CD4-Ig and >100-fold more potent than the broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) 3BNC117, with >12,000-fold improvements against strains poorly neutralized by 3BNC117. CD4-VLPs also neutralized patient-derived viral isolates that were resistant to 3BNC117 and other bNAbs. Intraperitoneal injections of CD4-CCR5-VLP produced only subneutralizing plasma concentrations in HIV-1–infected humanized mice but elicited CD4-binding site mutations that reduced viral fitness. All mutant viruses showed reduced sensitivity to sCD4 and CD4-Ig but remained sensitive to neutralization by CD4-VLPs in vitro. In vitro evolution studies demonstrated that CD4-VLPs effectively controlled HIV-1 replication at neutralizing concentrations, and viral escape was not observed. Moreover, CD4-VLPs potently neutralized viral swarms that were completely resistant to CD4-Ig, suggesting that escape pathways that confer resistance against conventional CD4-based inhibitors are ineffective against CD4-VLPs. These findings suggest that therapeutics that mimic HIV-1 target cells could prevent viral escape by exposing a universal vulnerability of HIV-1: the requirement to bind CD4 on a target cell. We propose that therapeutic and delivery strategies that ensure durable bioavailability need to be developed to translate this concept into a clinically feasible functional cure therapy

Nanoparticles presenting clusters of CD4 expose a universal vulnerability of HIV-1 by mimicking target cells

CD4-based decoy approaches against HIV-1 are attractive options for long-term viral control, but initial designs, including soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD4-Ig, were ineffective. To evaluate a therapeutic that more accurately mimics HIV-1 target cells compared with monomeric sCD4 and dimeric CD4-Ig, we generated virus-like nanoparticles that present clusters of membrane-associated CD4 (CD4-VLPs) to permit high-avidity binding of trimeric HIV-1 envelope spikes. In neutralization assays, CD4-VLPs were >12,000-fold more potent than sCD4 and CD4-Ig and >100-fold more potent than the broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) 3BNC117, with >12,000-fold improvements against strains poorly neutralized by 3BNC117. CD4-VLPs also neutralized patient-derived viral isolates that were resistant to 3BNC117 and other bNAbs. Intraperitoneal injections of CD4-CCR5-VLP produced only subneutralizing plasma concentrations in HIV-1–infected humanized mice but elicited CD4-binding site mutations that reduced viral fitness. All mutant viruses showed reduced sensitivity to sCD4 and CD4-Ig but remained sensitive to neutralization by CD4-VLPs in vitro. In vitro evolution studies demonstrated that CD4-VLPs effectively controlled HIV-1 replication at neutralizing concentrations, and viral escape was not observed. Moreover, CD4-VLPs potently neutralized viral swarms that were completely resistant to CD4-Ig, suggesting that escape pathways that confer resistance against conventional CD4-based inhibitors are ineffective against CD4-VLPs. These findings suggest that therapeutics that mimic HIV-1 target cells could prevent viral escape by exposing a universal vulnerability of HIV-1: the requirement to bind CD4 on a target cell. We propose that therapeutic and delivery strategies that ensure durable bioavailability need to be developed to translate this concept into a clinically feasible functional cure therapy

Indução de brotações epicórmicas ortotrópicas para a propagação vegetativa de árvores adultas de Araucaria angustifolia

This study evaluated 4 epicormic (lateral sprouts) sprout-induction methods with adult ( > 20-year-old) araucaria trees: a) branch pruning up to 2/3 total height and leaving 3 different branch sizes in the stem (2-3 cm, 20 cm, and 50 cm); b) 50-cm long cuttings from branches with 30-60 mm diameter and placed in greenhouse or under shade; c) sprouts from stumps; and d) top pruning. It was observed that branches pruned at 20-50 cm long produced more sprouts. Cuttings 50 cm long under shade registered more sprouts than those placed in the greenhouse. Stumps produced 60% sprouts 5-37 cm long, varying from 7-59 single sprouts per stump. One year later, 50% of top-pruned trees produced enough sprouts ( > 5 cm long) to be harvested. It is concluded that branches pruned at 20 to 50 cm long, and basal stumps, were the most efficient sprout producers, especially with orthotropic growth. Meanwhile, long cuttings were not efficient due to high mortality and low sprout induction. Top pruning has a potential, especially for grafting purposes, but still showing low sprout production

Editorial: Achieving nutrition security in Tanzania by improving production, education and economics: Methods, tools and applications

Peer Reviewe

HONO emissions from snow surfaces

Photochemical production of NO_x and HONO from surface snow can significantly impact the NO_x, OH, and O_3 budgets in the overlying atmosphere. NO_x production is driven by the solar photolysis of NO_3^− within or at the surface of snowpacks. HONO, however, is a secondary species that involves H-atom transfer between natural donors and photogenerated NO_2. Here we investigate the mechanism of HONO generation in snowpacks by exploring how its emissions respond to on-and-off illumination and temperature cycles, and to the addition of various snow dopants. The presence of humic substances within or at the surface of the snowpack significantly enhances, and may be an essential requisite for HONO production. Emission fluxes of NO, NO_2, and HONO from snow surfaces were measured under controlled temperature, ozone mixing ratio and actinic flux conditions. We used natural mid-latitude surface snow as the snow substrate. Their combined peak emission fluxes reached up to ~3 × 10^(10) molecules cm^(−2) s^(−1), ~10^3 times larger than typical emissions from polar snowpacks. Less than 1% of available N was released in these experiments. We report significant post-irradiation HONO emissions from the snow. Present results indicate a strong, direct correlation between HONO emissions and the HULIS (humic-like substances) content of the snow surface